Flowering Amaranth
Green Tails Amaranth is a striking heirloom flower that commands attention with its long, drooping green flower spikes that cascade elegantly downward. Hardy across zones 2 to 11, this upright grower reaches 3 to 5 feet tall and produces harvestable seed within 84 days from sowing. The pendant flower heads bloom reliably from June through November, offering both ornamental drama and edible grain for the adventurous gardener. Its drought tolerance and low-water needs make it remarkably easy to grow, while its ability to thrive in full sun on modest soil keeps maintenance minimal.
Full Sun
Low To Moderate
2-11
60in H x 24in W
Annual
Moderate
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The long, rope-like green inflorescences that dangle from sturdy stems are instantly recognizable and far more graceful than the upright amaranth varieties most gardeners know. Unlike flashier ornamental amaranths with red or gold plumes, Green Tails offers a quieter elegance that complements rather than dominates the garden. These tassels persist beautifully from midsummer through fall, providing extended visual interest in arrangements and the landscape alike. The variety's dual nature as both ornament and food crop sets it apart; the seed-laden flowers can be harvested fresh for arrangements or left to dry for grain.
Green Tails Amaranth serves primarily as a cut flower for fresh arrangements, where its trailing green plumes add texture and movement to bouquets. The flowers should be harvested in the morning when petals are freshest, cut cleanly with a knife dipped in 10% bleach solution, and conditioned in vase water also containing a few drops of bleach to prolong their ornamental life. Beyond the vase, the mature seed heads can be dried and stored for later use, or the plant can be left standing in the garden as a structural element through fall.
Six weeks before your last frost date, sow seeds thinly into containers filled with seed-starting mix to help prevent damping off. Keep soil evenly moist by placing a humidity dome over the pots or sprinkling a thin layer of vermiculite over them. Maintain temperatures between 65 and 75°F; germination should occur within 3 to 14 days. Once seedlings emerge, remove the humidity covering and provide bright light.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after your last frost date, spacing them 2 inches apart. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over several days before planting.
Direct sow seeds outdoors after your last frost date. Barely cover seeds with soil (1/16 inch depth) and keep the seedbed consistently moist until germination.
For fresh-cut flowers, harvest in the morning when the flower spikes are at their freshest and petals are just opening. Cut stems cleanly with a sharp knife that has been dipped in a 10% household bleach solution to prevent disease transfer. Place cut stems immediately into vase water containing a few drops of bleach to extend vase life. For seed harvest, allow flowers to mature fully on the plant, then cut the entire spike and hang in a dry location to cure completely before storing the seed.
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