Amaranthus caudatus
sexual love consist bleeding , Amaranthus caudatus , is an annual for USDA Hardiness Zones 2 to 11 .
A case of grain , it is one of over 60 species in theAmaranthusgenus of the Amaranthaceae family . In the home garden , it is grown primarily as an cosmetic specimen .
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Photo via Alamy.
A. caudatusis a large , showy plant with coin reddish - purple or gold , velvety , drooping flower panicles that make dramatic focal points in summer to strike gardens .
naturalize varieties expand the color palette to include extra spook of red and green .
This templet provides all you need to know to grow love lie bleed at house .
Photo via Alamy.
Here ’s what we ’ll overcompensate :
What You’ll Learn
Quick Look
Propagation
How to Grow
Cultivars to Select
upkeep
Pests and Disease
Harvesting and Storage
Cooking thought
Let ’s get originate .
rough-cut name(s):Love lie bleed , tassel blossom , foxtail amaranth , kiwicha , quihuicha
flora character : Annual cereal
Hardiness ( USDA Zone):2 - 11
Native to : South America
Bloom time : summertime to fall
Exposure : Full sunlight
Soil type : fair to organically - copious loam , well draining
filth pH:6.4 - 8.5 , slightly acidic to alkaline
Time to maturity:60 - 110 Clarence Shepard Day Jr.
Spacing : 18 column inch
Planting depth : Barely cover ( seeds ) , profoundness of root ball ( transplants )
matured size:1 - 2 feet wide x 2 - 5 feet high
Water Needs : Moderate
Taxonomy
Order : Caryophyllales
Family : Amaranthaceae
Genus : genus Amaranthus
mintage : Caudatus
cultivar : Various
The botanical name , Amaranthus caudatus , educe from the Greekamarantosor never - fading , and the Latincaudatusor dock .
The gruesome name , love prevarication bleed , may date to the Victorian era and the Second Coming of a romantic language of flowers that let discerning reflexion of love and its many emotion .
Also known as tassel flower or foxtail amaranth , the mintage is a gluten - free grain . It is often consult to as a “ pseudo - cereal ” and boast as an choice to mainstream pale yellow , oats , and corn .
You may discover photos and information on this type of amaranth that look up to it by its Quechua names , “ kiwicha ” and “ quihuicha . ” These names date to its ancient blood in the tropical Andes Mountains of South America , where Mt. Kiwicha is located .
Evidence of the existence of amaranth go out back 7,000 to 8,000 years , andarcheological record suggestthat 6,000 years ago it was a domesticise grain crop .
Ancient uses included cooking and medicative program for various consideration , including fungal infections , and pulmonary and urinary disorder .
Today , love lie bleeding enjoys popularity as an ornamental works .
Once found , the specie has an above - mediocre tolerance for drought and common salt .
Plants characteristically have an upright , bushy growth riding habit . They achieve fledged dimensions of two to five metrical foot tall and one to two feet wide .
As they mature , one C of lilliputian petal - less efflorescence cluster in tassels suspended dramatically among ample light - green to pink - distort fleeceable foliation .
And while some good pollinators , like honeybees , are not attract to the exceedingly belittled blooms , you may see other bee and a few hummingbird . And at time of year ’s conclusion , the seeds are a feast for forage songbirds .
Flower “ tails ” hold back their color for six to eight weeks and apportion similar cultural essential with fellow Amaranthaceae familymemberscelosia , cockscomb , andgomphrena .
They add texture and vertical interest tocut flower vasesand “ everlasting ” ironical arrangements , although they don’tactuallylast forever .
A. caudatusself - sows munificently , even earning itself “ weed ” condition in the eyes of gardeners in warmer regions where plant may number up year after year .
Let ’s explore how to begin a plant .
There are two ways to get start : by seed source or transplant greenhouse plants .
Here ’s how :
From Seed
The seeds are very tiny and evaluate about one - twenty - fifth of an column inch in diameter . They usually sprout in three to five days ; however , the length of time from germination to flowering is between 60 and 110 days .
you may get a near jumping on the growing season bystarting seed indoorsin well - draining potting mix eight to 10 weeks before the last average spring frost .
Seeds should be barely cover with soil and should be at temperature of around 25 ° C or 77 ° F ( give or take ) for optimal germination .
Seed Starter Heat Mat
To defend this temperature , you may require to use a seed appetiser mat , such as this one available from Vivosun via Amazon .
Ideally , sow one seed per territory cell . It ’s difficult because they are lilliputian , but do your undecomposed . overcrowd the sprout can cause the root to tangle and may adversely bear upon development .
While you wait for cum to germinate , supply even moisture without oversaturation , taking care not to inundate the soil and make the seeds to settle .
Once sprout , place the seedling in a sunny post , orbeneath a grow lightness , and continue to provide even wet .
From Seedlings/Transplanting
Whether you have germinated seedlings or purchase glasshouse plant , the time to transfer them to the garden is after the danger of Robert Frost straits .
rent ’s come up out how :
If you desire a plant that turns heads , you ca n’t do much respectable thanAmaranthus caudatus . Luckily , it ’s also incredibly gentle to grow once you meet its canonical needs . countenance ’s explore what those needs are :
Light
Love lies bleed thrives in full sun . Aim for at least six to eight hours of verbatim sun per day . If you live in an sphere with scorching good afternoon beam , the works can wield it , though a little dappled spectre in the hot part of the day wo n’t hurt .
Plants grown in partial sun will be leggier , and the blossom wo n’t be as lush or brightly colorful .
Soil
Give your plants liberal , well - draining stain . They ’re not picky about pH and will bear a reach from slightly acidic to alkaline with an ideal pH of 6.4 to 8.5 .
What matter most is drainage . If you ’re dealing with heavy clay , rectify with plenty of compost or consider a raised bed .
Temperature and Humidity
Amaranths are heat - know yearly that thrive in warm weather . hold off to engraft until nighttime temperatures stay above 50 ° F . Ideal daytime temps are between 70 and 85 ° fluorine .
They ’re also relatively humidness - tolerant , though extended periods of wet , humid weather can make them more susceptible to fungous disease . Good airflow and spacing can help reduce these risks .
Water
Provideone column inch of water per hebdomad , including rain . Once established , plants have above - average drought allowance , but keeping soil moist contribute to their good health and most vibrant color .
Fertilizer
Skip the fertilizer . It ’s not necessitate when amaranths are planted in the ground and it can take to problems .
Toxicity Alert
Both the seeds and folio of our open plant are edible , but there is one cardinal tip to note :
When A. caudatus is develop in nitrogen - fat soil , a experimental condition often produce by chemic fertilisation , the leaves become high in nitrates that may be carcinogenic if consumed .
As this may admit lawn fertiliser unravel - off , you may require to consider cultivating your plants in a container or raised bed if you bid to take in the farewell .
Nitrogen is a volatile element that is knockout to measure in the soil , even with a dirt test . Therefore , we stress that if you consume your industrial plant , you should turn them organically .
Container Growing
Yes , you may growAmaranthus caudatusin a container — but pick the big one you may make out . Choose a pot that accommodate at least five gallons of soil and has excellent drain .
utilize a lite , loamy potting mix , and localize the container somewhere it will receive full sun . water supply more oft than you would in - ground , since pots dry out quicker , especially in summer estrus .
If you use new potting mix that does n’t include fertilizer or older land , you ’ll want to add a diluted balanced liquidity feed every two weeks during the growing season for best solution . Potting soil is usually made from barque fines and does n’t include the nutrient that is available from surface soil .
As mention , there are over 50 species of amaranth , so refer to the species ’ botanical name , A. caudatus , to be sure you are purchase our subject plant .
Heirloom Love Lies bleed
Find heirloom seeds for this reddish - purple beauty in 300 - mg packetsfrom Botanical Interests .
Some cultivated assortment you may like are :
Coral Fountain
A. caudatus‘Coral Fountain ’ has tassel in a lightheaded ruddy - purple hue .
They droop among swooning green foliage on plants that achieve a fledged stature of four to five feet tall .
‘ Coral Fountain ’
If you would like to add ‘ Coral Fountain ’ to your garden , you could pick up packets of 320 seedsat Botanical Interests .
Dreadlocks
A. caudatus‘Dreadlocks ’ shoot a line purplish - reddened tassels .
Heights are between three and five feet improbable .
Emerald Tassels
And for something different , tryA. caudatus‘Emerald Tassels . ’
‘ Emerald tassel ’
Available from David ’s Garden Seeds via Amazon , this plant ’s tail - like flowers are unripened and fade to cream . fledged heights may reach five foot .
Each bundle contains approximately 200 seeds .
Fat Spike
Instead of cascading panicles , A. caudatus‘Fat Spike ’ has upright , finger - like purple - red flower spikes .
Mature tiptop are three to four feet .
While thinking about your favourite , let ’s talk over likely issue during cultivation , to stay a step ahead of difficulty .
If the plant life stalks become floppy during the grow season , provide support as needed with bamboo or standardised garden bet .
Prune any discredited or morbid plant material off with clean shears to deflect penetration by opportunistic pests and pathogens .
At time of year ’s end , you may glean the seed for exhaust or planting , or make a nosegay of stalk and fall them upside - down in a cool , dry location for several weeks . When they are completely juiceless , use them in everlasting floral arrangement .
instead , stab the plant out of the land and compost them to rid the garden of rotting foliage that may pull pests and diseases .
A. caudatusis comparatively pest - barren , but there are some to see out for , include :
If you see aphids , dislodge them with ablast of piddle from the hose .
you’re able to also make a DIY insecticidal max by mixing five tablespoonful of pure soap with one congius of water . Pour it into a spritz feeding bottle and deal plants as needed .
instead , utilize constitutional insecticidal neem oil per computer software statement .
Handpick Japanese beetles and drop them into the same mix of soapy water remark above .
As for slugs and snails , you may go out after wickedness , foot them off , and crush them . dissuade these gastropods by adding food - gradediatomaceous earthto the soil around your plant .
Another pestilence , the pigweed weevil , Hypolixus haerens , is a destructive burrowing grub that is becoming dominant on commercial harvest plants outside the United States .
This pest spreads damaging fungal pathogen likeFusariumthat can cause disease . Organic insecticidal and fungicidal neem crude and pyrethrins , as well as toxic chemical pyrethroid insecticides , may be in force .
However , if this pest becomes a problem in US household gardens where plant are grown ornamentally , the best course of action may be to destroy those affected .
disease to be aware of include :
Anthracnose and pie-eyed hogwash are of fungal extraction and may react to treatment with copper - based fungicides . But mind – these fungicides can be toxic , and it may be better to take out affected flora to master the spread .
Damping off is seed or seedling decease that may lead from sowing too deeply , overwatering , or overcrowding .
Lettuce mosaic virus is spread by feeding aphids , so managing these pestis expire a long way toward avert this disease .
passion lies bleed is a grain that ripens in late summertime . The seeds are nourishing , gluten - barren , and plentiful in calcium , dietary fiber , Fe , Mg , and zinc .
Here ’s how to collect them :
If you ’d like to try corrode the leaf :
Harvest the leaf just before you want to eat them , and blue-ribbon small-scale , youthful ones for a tender bite .
If you have to keep them fresh for a 24-hour interval or two :
Rinse the parting exhaustively before using them .
In improver to collecting and saving seeds to institute next twelvemonth , you may need to try recipes like this one for creamy amaranth porridgefrom our sister land site , Foodal .
It ’s a gluten - free blistering breakfast cereal grass pack with protein and batty goodness for a healthy starting to a fertile daytime .
To hear organically grow leaves , select untested , warm ones , and use them in salad , on sandwiches , or sauteed as a side dish . Their smell is on the mild side and rather like spinach .
For more info on misrepresent with amaranth , we recommendthis informative article on our babe internet site , Foodal .
An Annual Showstopper
If you ’re look for a blazing specimen to reverse a blah wall , fencing , or entry into an heart - watch draw , love lies phlebotomize may be just what you need .
think of to start seeds early indoors , as this annual postulate up to 110 days to flower . Provide full sunlight and keep the dirt moist for optimum wellness and people of colour .
If you ’d like to feature dearest lies bleeding in your outdoor space this class , it ’s time to pick out your favorites and add them to yourgarden planner .
Love lies bleeding delivers a showstopping execution from summertime to decrease and is certain to be a conversation starter at your business firm .
If you enjoyed this article and want toread more about flowers , we advocate the following next :
© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . Originally published November 11th , 2017 . Last updated : May 13th , 2025 . mathematical product pic via Botanical Interests , David ’s Garden Seeds , and Vivosun . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock . Revised and amplify from an original article by Gretchen Heber .
About
Nan Schiller
