Coral Fountain Love-lies-bleeding Amaranth is a dramatic ornamental vegetable that earned its poetic name from the long, cascading flower spikes that hang like crimson waterfalls from sturdy 36 to 60-inch stems. This tender annual thrives in full sun across zones 10-11, or can be grown as a summer annual in cooler climates when started indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your last frost. The edible leaves and seeds offer nutritional value, while the striking coral-red plumes make this variety as much a garden showstopper as it is a productive plant.
Full Sun
Moderate
10-11
60in H x ?in W
—
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
The defining feature of this cultivar is its long, drooping flower spikes that create an almost fountain-like effect in the garden, delivering color that lasts from mid-summer through fall. Coral Fountain grows tall and architectural, making it a statement plant rather than a background filler. With moderate water needs and a preference for warmth (germinating at 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit), it rewards gardeners who give it full sun and well-draining soil with weeks of ornamental beauty and a continuous harvest of tender leaves.
The edible leaves can be harvested young and tender, prepared much like spinach or other leafy greens in cooked dishes. The seeds, gathered from the distinctive hanging flower spikes, are nutritious and can be used in grain preparations or sprouted. Beyond the kitchen, the dramatic coral-red flower spikes are prized by gardeners and florists for their ornamental value and ability to add height and color to both garden beds and cut-flower arrangements.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date. Sow seeds barely covered in trays kept at 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit until germination. Thin seedlings as they develop, and transplant to larger containers to establish strong root systems before moving to the garden.
Transplant outdoors 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, once soil temperature has reached 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit and all danger of frost has passed. Space plants 12 to 15 inches apart in full sun.
You can direct sow outdoors 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, when soil temperatures reach 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Barely cover seeds and keep soil moist until germination. Thin seedlings to 12 to 15 inches apart when plants are 1 to 2 inches tall.
Harvest tender leaves throughout the growing season by pinching or cutting from the top of the plant, which encourages bushier growth and extends leaf production. For seeds, allow the distinctive coral-red flower spikes to fully mature and dry on the plant, then cut the entire flower head and hang it upside down indoors to dry completely before threshing out seeds.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.