Amaranth Seeds - Love Lies Bleeding

Minimum Seeds per Packet: 400

Packet Weight: 0.5g

Planting Season: After Last Frost

Sowing Method: Direct Seed or Transplant

Seed Depth: 1/8"

Direct Seed Spacing: 1-2"

Soil Temperature: 60-85 ℉

Days to Sprout: 8-12

Mature Spacing: 6"

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Frost Tolerance: Frost Sensitive

Days to Harvest: 75

Production Cycle: Annual

When to Seed Amaranth

Amaranth can be transplanted outdoors or directly sown into the garden after all danger of frost has passed. This frost sensitive annual typically has a long growing season, up to three or four months. Take care to check the days to harvest information on the seed packet to plan ahead. 

Where to Plant Amaranth

Amaranth will need a spot with full sun and well-draining soil. Ideally, the pH will be between six and seven. Clay-heavy soils do not play well with amaranth so we recommend amending ahead of time with plenty of compost and organic matter. 

Growing Amaranth

If starting indoors, sow seeds three to four weeks before your last frost date. Seeds can be sown ¼ inch deep and, if direct seeding, three to four inches apart. As germination progresses, plants should be thinned to six inches apart if growing for baby greens, or 12 to 18 inches apart if growing for seed and flower production. Fertilizing amaranth is not strictly necessary, but can help production! If growing for baby greens, applying a high nitrogen fertilizer can encourage foliage growth. However, if you’re growing amaranth for the flowers or seed heads, we’d recommend scaling back on nitrogen application and focusing more on phosphorus and potassium (0-10-10 or something similar).  

Harvesting Amaranth

Baby greens are typically ready to harvest in about 30 to 40 days and are a great fresh green during the hottest part of the growing season. For greens, the whole plant can be cut when it reaches about 12 inches. They will often sprout again for a second cutting. For seed and flower production, it can take a lot longer - check the days to harvest information on your seed packet! Flowers can be cut for arrangements at any time once flowering. For seed production, watch for when the leaves begin to yellow in late summer or early fall. You can also keep an eye on when the birds start to show interest - you’ll have to beat them to it! Seed heads will ripen from bottom to top. Once most of the seeds are ripe and dry, harvest the grain by cutting off the whole head and shaking them inside a large paper bag. Winnow away chaff using a box fan. Be sure the seeds are completely dry before storing them in an airtight container. 

Amaranth, Amaranthus spp.

Pollination, wind; Life Cycle, annual; Isolation Distance, 1 mile

Amaranth is an increasingly important food crop. The drooping seed heads of this fast growing plant mature from bottom to top, and there are many varieties that will cross readily. For seed production select strong, true-to-type plants. Foliage will lighten or yellow when seeds begin to mature. Harvest the seed-heads by shaking them into a paper bag. Alternatively harvest the entire plant when most seeds are mature. Seeds are easily threshed by hand (wear gloves!). Clean by winnowing. Place clean, dry seeds in air-tight container and store in a cool, dry location.