Edible Red Leaf Amaranth is a heat-loving annual vegetable grown for its tender, deeply colored foliage and grain. Native to tropical regions and thriving in zones 3 through 11, this cultivar reaches 12 to 24 inches tall and produces a harvest-ready crop in 90 to 110 days. Both the leaves and seeds offer nutritional value, making it a dual-purpose plant that rewards warm-season gardeners with vibrant color and versatility from a single sowing.
Full Sun
Moderate
3-11
24in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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The red-tinged leaves deliver a striking visual impact in the garden while offering mild, slightly sweet greens for cooking. This variety grows fastest when temperatures climb into the warm zone, making it a natural choice for summer gardening in cooler climates or a season-long staple in warmer regions. Its grain-producing capability sets it apart from purely ornamental foliage plants, turning a beautiful crop into a complete food source.
The tender leaves are eaten fresh in salads, wilted into cooked dishes, or used as a nutritious green much like spinach. The plant also produces small grains that can be harvested, dried, and ground or cooked whole as a protein-rich carbohydrate. Young plants yield the most tender foliage, while mature plants develop more substantial seed heads.
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Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your average last frost date in biodegradable pots, as the roots are sensitive to disturbance. Maintain soil temperature between 68 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal germination, though a minimum of 55 degrees will work. This method gives you a head start in cooler climates and allows careful transplanting when conditions warm.
Transplant outdoors 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, once soil temperatures have warmed and nighttime frost is no longer a threat. Space plants 12 inches apart in rows spaced 12 inches apart. Handle transplants gently to minimize root damage, and water well after planting to settle the soil.
Direct sow outside 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, once soil temperatures reach at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit, ideally 68 to 75 degrees. Direct seeding is recommended and works best when temperatures are warm enough to support rapid germination and growth.
Begin harvesting tender leaves when plants reach 6 to 8 inches tall, pinching off the top few inches to encourage bushier growth and continued leaf production. For grain harvest, allow plants to mature fully and the seed heads to dry on the plant; cut the entire head when it turns papery and brittle, then thresh to release the seeds. Leaf harvests can continue throughout the growing season if you pick regularly and avoid stripping the plant bare.
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