FlowerAmaranth
Joseph's Coat Amaranth
Ornamental
Joseph's Coat Amaranth is a stunning heirloom ornamental that transforms a summer garden with its dramatic foliage and delicate flower spikes. This cultivar of Amaranthus tricolor reaches a compact 18 inches tall and blooms reliably from June through August across hardiness zones 2 through 11. The plant earns its name from its vibrant, multicolored leaves that shift through shades of red, gold, and green as the season progresses, creating a living artwork in beds or containers. Despite its show-stopping appearance, it's remarkably low-maintenance, thriving on minimal water and full sun alone.
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Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-11
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Low
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam
Preferred Temp70-85°F
Growth Stats
18 in
Height
PeriodAnnual
TypeBush
Spacing
12-18 inches apart
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Low
Zones
2-11
Size
18in H x ?in W
Growth
Annual
Care
Moderate
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Highlights
Joseph's Coat delivers drama without fuss. The foliage transforms continuously throughout summer, shifting through jewel tones that rival any flowering annual. Its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in zones as cold as 2 mean you can grow this striking amaranth almost anywhere, and it reaches full bloom in just 84 days from seed. The compact 18-inch height makes it perfect for containers, borders, or mass plantings where you want color impact without towering plants.
Common Uses
Joseph's Coat Amaranth grows as an ornamental foliage plant, prized for its multicolored leaves that add visual interest and movement to flower arrangements, garden beds, and mixed containers. The vibrant foliage serves as a living backdrop for complementary plantings and works beautifully in cut-flower arrangements where the colored leaves provide texture alongside traditional blooms.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Early Summer
First Harvest
Early Summer
Last Harvest
Early Fall
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors six weeks before your last frost date. Sow thinly into seed-germination mix, barely covering seeds with 1/16 inch of soil. Place a humidity dome over containers or sprinkle a thin layer of vermiculite over the pots, then keep conditions evenly moist at 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Seedlings should emerge in 3 to 14 days.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost date has passed. Since Joseph's Coat is frost-tender, timing is critical; plant once soil has warmed and nighttime temperatures stay above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Space plants 1 inch apart, or adjust spacing based on your desired density and mature size.
Direct Sow
Direct sow seeds outdoors after the last frost date when soil has warmed adequately. Barely cover seeds with 1/16 inch of soil, keep the seedbed evenly moist until germination occurs in 3 to 14 days.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Drought Tolerant
Soil pH Range
6 – 7
Bloom Time
Summer
Scientific Classification
Amaranthus tricolor L.
Family
Amaranthaceae
Genus
Amaranthus
Duration
Annual
Growth Habit
Forb/herb
Native Status
L48 (I)PR (I)VI (I)