Amaranth is one of the oldest grains we have. It fell into obscurity many years ago, but recently, with the rise of the healthy diet and vegetarian movement, we've been hearing more and more about Amaranth.
How do you plant Amaranth grains? Does it have varieties, and is eating one good for you? We will answer your questions here.
Are you looking for an app to identify plants? Perhaps you should. Such apps make the life of a gardener easier and help boost efficiency.
The first thing you should know is that Amaranth is a grain. Amaranth grains can be cooked directly or turned into flour and oil.
Amaranth has been known to mankind for over 8,000 years, being a staple food in the Inca, Mayan, and Aztec civilizations of South America. It was called a sacred plant that brought immortality, and in some cultures, it was second in importance only to corn.
Today, the Amaranth is slowly regaining its lost grace. People noticed its beauty and nutritional value. Some use it as an ornamental plant, and others use it for food.
Amaranth Plant Overview | |
Feature | Details |
Origin | Central and South America, widely cultivated worldwide |
Type | Annual (most common species) or perennial (in tropical regions) |
Size | Usually 3–8 feet (0.9–2.5 m) tall |
Life span | Depending on the region, a year or multiple years |
Leaf Colors | Green, purple, or red, depending on the variety |
Flowers | Dense, feathery spikes of red, pink, purple, and gold |
Propagation | By seeds |
Toxicity | Non-toxic. Leaves and seeds are edible for humans and livestock |
Special Features | Highly nutritional and ornamental |
Being quite ancient, Amaranth naturally evolved and diverged into many varieties. Some have distinct colors, and others show a greater yield. A few varieties are especially popular:
Amaranth Grain Plant: Technically, it’s not a variety but a whole class of Edible Amaranth Plants. It includes cultivars like Amaranthus cruentus / Amaranthus hypochondriacus / Amaranthus caudatus. It can be red and yellow, grown not for beauty, but for food. Seeds are highly nutritious.
Red Amaranth Plant: This class includes all red-coloured specimens, from edible Cruentus to Tricolor. Vivid and bright, it’s often used for ornamental purposes. Not many shrubs are so distinctively red, and even the Heart of Jesus plant is dimmer.
Green Amaranth Plant: Known for its bright green, tender leaves and flowers. Also edible, widely eaten in Africa and the Maldives. Green varieties are great for those who want calmer options that don't overstimulate.
Globe Amaranth Plant: The “Globe” nickname comes from round, globe-shaped blooms in purple, pink, white, or red. The main purpose is ornamental, and it’s even used in Hawaii for lei making. Though it’s also edible, just not grown commercially like the Grain variety.
Wild Amaranth Plant: Usually considered a weed. Slightly smaller than the Grain variety. Growing in the wild, it adapts to hardy conditions and spreads its seeds efficiently. Also edible, offering nourishment for those in the wild.
A few cultivars come from the varieties we've just talked about. Most of them are widely sold in stores. Perhaps one of them is growing in your pot.
Red Garnet: Named after its bright crimson flower spikes. Like other members of the Red variety, it’s grown for both seeds (nutritious, gluten-free grain) and colorful edible leaves.
Love Lies Bleeding Amaranth: Very decorative. The Amaranth flower has long, drooping tassels of bright red or magenta blooms. Slightly resembles the tailed flowers on Agave.
Palmer: Has green, diamond-shaped leaves and a spot of beige in the middle. It’s cultivated in some parts of the world, but most consider it a Wild one and invasive.
Chinese Amaranth: This cultivar combines green, red, and gold colours in one package. It’s another Amaranth plant edible option, popular in Asian cuisine, especially stir-fries and soups.
As Amaranth is one of the few ancient grains, humanity has long understood the proper way to grow and care for it.
Amaranth historically grew in hot and sunny regions, like Africa, India, or South America. It prefers full sun (at least 6–8 hours per day).
It has tolerance for partial shade, but flowering and seed production may be reduced in dimmer regions.
Amaranth thrives in well-drained, fertile soil. It can tolerate poor soils (especially the wild variety), but grows best with moderate organic matter.
As for fertilizing, it is a light feeder. You can incorporate compost or well-rotted manure before planting.
For grain varieties, balanced fertilizer is the best, as it promotes healthy seed production.
Watering Needs
Amaranth has moderate water needs. Keep soil consistently moist for young plants, and once established, many varieties turn drought-tolerant.
It’s better to underwater this plant than to overwater it.
As a warm-season plant, it grows best in temperatures 70–85°F (21–29°C).
In colder regions, outside, Amaranths die in the cold, but their seeds sprout in the spring after the last frost, repeating the cycle.
Some tropical species are perennial in frost-free areas.
It all starts with seeds. Of course, you may find an Amaranth plant for sale and even order one from faraway cities via shipping. Some people, though, prefer to grow one from the beginning. Finding the seeds is easy, as nowadays most garden-themed shops have them.
When to plant Amaranth seeds?
Most prefer to sow outdoors after the last frost, when the soil has warmed to at least 65–70°F (18–21°C).
1. Choose the Right Spot: The chosen spot must have full sun (6–8 hours daily). The soil should be well-drained and moderately fertile. Amaranth grows even in poor soil, but the better the soil, the more seeds will germinate.
2. Prepare the Soil: Loosen soil to about 8–10 inches deep. Optionally, you can mix in compost or aged manure for better fertility and moisture retention.
3. Sow Amaranth Plant Seeds: Scatter seeds on the prepared soil or plant Amaranth plants in shallow rows. Grain varieties are usually bigger and need some space between them.
The germination should take 5–10 days in warm soil. Continue watering saplings, identify weeds (you can use apps), and get rid of possible competition.
Today, some dietitians openly say that Amaranth is a super food because it’s exceptionally nutritious and doesn’t have gluten. Let's have a better look at its benefits and see if the rumors are true.
Category | Benefits |
Nutritional | The grains are high in protein(13–15%), rich in lysine, and gluten-free. They are packed with calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, and zinc. Leaves are high in vitamins A, C, and K. Overall, a good source of fiber and antioxidants. |
Culinary | Leaves are eaten like spinach (soups, curries, stir-fries). Seeds are used as grain, popped, boiled, or ground into flour. Appears in many cuisines (Asia, Africa, Latin America). |
Agricultural | Drought-tolerant and heat-resistant. Grows in poor or marginal soils and grows fast. Therefore helps feed families. |
Health | Supports heart health (fiber, antioxidants), strengthens bones (calcium, magnesium), and boosts immunity (vitamins, minerals). |
Environmental & Cultural | Supports pollinators with nectar-rich flowers. Historically important in Aztec, Mayan, and Incan diets. |
Ornamental | Ornamental varieties are valued for their striking flowers. |
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