Chacari Amaranth is a cockscomb-type ornamental flower from Alamos, Sonora, Mexico, prized for its striking fuchsia blooms punctuated by occasional white flowers. The plant displays remarkable flower diversity, with some stems producing the characteristic crested forms while others branch into varied shapes, all backed by bright green foliage edged in deep red. Hardy in zones 10-11 and frost-tender in cooler regions, it thrives in moderate moisture and slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0-7.0). Seeds germinate best at 70-85°F, making it well-suited to warm-season gardening.
—
Moderate
10-11
?in H x ?in W
—
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Bright fuchsia flowers with surprising white accents emerge from vibrant green leaves rimmed in red, creating striking color contrast from stem to bloom. The true character of Chacari lies in its flower diversity; within a single plant you'll find crestate cockscomb forms alongside other sculptural shapes, giving each plant a unique personality. This is a heritage variety with genuine Mexican roots, not a mass-produced ornamental, which means you're growing something with real agricultural history and regional identity.
Chacari Amaranth is grown as a cut flower and ornamental display plant. The distinctive fuchsia blooms with white accents work well in fresh arrangements, while the plants themselves add dramatic color and unusual texture to gardens, borders, and containers. The variety-specific blend of flower forms and the striking red-edged foliage make it as visually interesting in the garden as it is in a vase.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your final frost date in containers filled with seed-starting mix. Maintain soil temperature between 70-85°F for germination; seeds typically emerge in 7-14 days. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during germination and early growth.
Harden off seedlings over 7-10 days by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions. Transplant after all frost danger has passed and nighttime temperatures consistently reach 60°F or higher. Space plants 12-18 inches apart in full sun. In zones 10-11, you can plant directly in spring once soil has warmed.
In zones 10-11, direct sow seeds after the last spring frost when soil temperature reaches 70°F or higher. Sow seeds directly where you want them to grow, pressing lightly into the soil surface.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“Chacari Amaranth comes from Alamos, Sonora, Mexico, where it has been grown as a traditional ornamental. Also known locally as mano de gato amaranth (cat's paw amaranth), the variety carries deep roots in Mexican horticulture. Native Seeds/SEARCH, an organization focused on preserving seeds adapted to the arid Southwest, has documented and maintained this cultivar, ensuring its survival and availability to gardeners who value heritage varieties with regional significance.”