Trailing
Love-lies-bleeding Amaranth is a stunning ornamental vegetable that produces dramatic deep crimson flower spikes cascading downward like silken threads, earning its poetic common name. Growing 36 to 48 inches tall with a spread of 12 to 24 inches, this frost-tender annual thrives in full sun and moderate water, reaching maturity in warm soil between 65 and 80°F. Both the leaves and seeds are edible, offering gardeners a plant that feeds the eye as beautifully as it feeds the body.
Tubifex(CC BY-SA 3.0)
Full Sun
Moderate
?-?
48in H x 24in W
Annual
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
The cascading crimson flower spikes that give this amaranth its romantic name are as functional as they are beautiful, producing nutritious seeds and tender greens throughout the growing season. It handles warm, sunny spots with ease and grows vigorously once established, creating a tall, dramatic presence in any garden bed. Harvesting the seed-laden flower spikes extends the plant's productivity well into the season, rewarding patient gardeners with abundance.
Love-lies-bleeding Amaranth is grown primarily for its edible seeds and tender young leaves. The leafy greens can be harvested early in the season and prepared like spinach, while the distinctive drooping seed heads mature into grain-like seeds that have been valued as a staple cereal crop in South American and African cuisines for centuries. The seeds store exceptionally well and can be ground into flour or cooked whole as a nutritious grain.
Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your average last frost date in biodegradable pots, as roots are sensitive to disturbance and transplanting from standard containers can cause stress. Sow seeds at a depth of 1/8 inch in warm soil and keep consistently moist until germination occurs.
Transplant outdoors 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, or when soil temperatures have warmed reliably to 65°F or higher. Use the biodegradable pots directly in the ground to minimize root disturbance; space plants 18 to 24 inches apart to allow for their mature width.
Direct sow seeds outdoors 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, planting at a depth of 1/8 inch directly into warm garden soil.
Begin harvesting tender young leaves once plants are established, typically 4 to 6 weeks after sowing, by pinching off the top 2 to 3 inches of growth; this encourages branching and extends leaf production. Harvest the dramatic drooping flower spikes once they have fully elongated and begun to mature, when seeds start to develop along the spike. Cut spikes at the base with a sharp knife and allow them to dry completely on a warm, dry surface; once fully dried, rub the spikes gently between your hands to release the tiny seeds into a container. Mature seed heads can remain on the plant longer than many vegetables, allowing for staggered harvesting and continuous seed production.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.