Elephant's Head Amaranth is a striking heirloom flower that commands attention with its distinctive, massive blooms resembling the head of an elephant. This tropical beauty reaches 48 to 60 inches tall and produces its dramatic flower heads reliably within 84 days from seed to bloom, thriving in full sun through summer and fall in zones 10 through 12. With low water needs and the ability to handle drought, it's a rewarding choice for warm-climate gardeners seeking bold, architectural color that lasts from early summer through November.
Full Sun
Low
10-12
60in H x 30in W
—
Moderate
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The elephant's head inflorescence is unlike anything else in the flower garden, a velvety, nodding plume that can be up to 18 inches long in rich reds, purples, or yellows depending on the strain. It grows remarkably tall and substantial, often reaching shoulder height or taller, yet remains surprisingly drought-tolerant once established. The extended blooming season, from June straight through November in ideal conditions, provides consistent drama when many other ornamentals are fading. Seed germinates quickly in warm soil (70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit), and this heirloom has earned its place in gardens for generations because it delivers maximum impact with minimal fussing.
Elephant's Head Amaranth is grown as an ornamental flower, valued for its dramatic, pendant inflorescences in cut arrangements and for bold garden displays. The tall, commanding plants work well as focal points in beds and borders, and the distinctive flower heads are prized by florists and home gardeners who want flowers with unusual form and texture.
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Start seeds indoors six weeks before your last frost date. Sow thinly into seed-starting mix (this helps prevent damping off), barely covering seeds with 1/16 inch of soil. Keep containers at 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit with evenly moist conditions by placing a humidity dome over them or sprinkling a thin layer of vermiculite over the pots. Seeds typically sprout within 3 to 14 days. Maintain moist soil until seedlings emerge.
Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days before transplanting. Move to the garden after your last frost date when soil has warmed. Space plants 2 inches apart in full sun.
Direct sow seeds outdoors after your last frost date, barely covering them with 1/16 inch of soil in warm ground.
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