Red Garnet Amaranth is a stunning addition to any garden, with its rich, deep red foliage that creates a striking visual appeal. Not only is it a beautiful ornamental plant, but it also boasts incredible nutritional value. The delicately flavored sprouts can be used as a garnish for salads in 14-20 days and young leaves can be cooked like spinach. The leaves and seeds are packed with protein, fiber, and a wealth of vitamins and minerals, making it a healthy choice for any home gardener. It’s a highly versatile plant, thriving in various climates and soil types, ensuring a successful harvest in different environments. The seeds can be easily harvested and used as a gluten-free grain alternative in cooking, adding a nutritious boost to meals. Also Known As: Red Amaranth, Mexican Amaranth, Purple Amaranth, Indian Amaranth, African Spinach, Callaloo, Joseph's Coat, Tampala, Chinese Spinach, Edible Amaranth, and Love-Lies-Bleeding. Plant Name: Amaranth, Red Garnet Latin Name: Amaranthus cruentus Days to Germinate: 7-14 Days to Harvest: 40-120 Plant Height: 3 - 6 Feet Spread: 18 - 24 Inches Bloom Diameter: 3 - 6 Inches Growth Habit: Upright USDA Zones: 3-12 Lifespan: Annual Brand: TomorrowSeeds Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial Shade Pollination: Heirloom, Open-Pollinated GMO: No Fungicide-Treated Seeds*: No Seeds Packed For**: 2026 *Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds. **Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates. Planting Instructions: Soil Preparation: Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 8-12 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots. Plants grow best in soil with lots of organic matter. You may optionally add fertilizer or organic material such as compost, leaves, or rotted hay to mix into the soil at this point. For small gardens, scatter 2-3 tablespoons of fertilizer evenly and work into the top 2-3 inches of soil for each hill or 2 foot by 2 foot planting area. For larger gardens, scatter 2-3 pounds of a complete fertilizer for each 100 square feet of planting area. Work fertilizer or organic material into the soil and leave the surface smooth. Form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 18 inches apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage. Planting: Red Garnet Amaranth grows best in warm weather (optimal growth is 70F-85F). Plant amaranth in the spring when the soil temperature is at least 70F. Starting Indoors: For an earlier harvest, start indoors 4-6 weeks before the last expected frost in spring. Harden off then transplant seedlings outdoors in a sunny location when temperatures are consistently above 70F. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the transplant holes, burying some of the stem in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting. For fall crops, direct sow seeds or transplant seedlings outdoors 6-8 weeks before the first frost. To plant, make holes 1/4 inch deep and spaced 12 inches apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 2-3 seeds per hole. If choosing to thin plants after germination, plant seeds 1 inch apart then thin to 6 inches apart after emergence to give plants more spacing for larger growth. Cover seeds thinly with soil and water after planting. Planting Depth: 1/4 inch Within-Row Spacing: 12 inches Between-Row Spacing: 2-3 feet Care During the Season: Watering: Water the plants deeply, soaking the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches, once a week. If there is no rainfall, water 2-3 times a week. Sandy soils may need to be watered more often than heavy clay soils. Weeding: Keeping plants weed-free improves production. If plowing or hoeing, do not dig deeper than 1 inch to prevent from cutting the feeder roots. Fertilizing: Additional fertilizing is usually not needed. If growth is slow or leaves are smaller than expected, you may optionally apply a light dressing of a complete fertilizer, without letting the fertilizer touch the plants. Water plants after fertilizing. Insecticides: Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Bt-based insecticides and sulfur are organic options that can be used for prevention. Sulfur also has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Before using a pesticide, read the label and follow cautions, warnings and directions. Diseases: If spots or mold appear, treat plants with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may be used. When using fungicides always follow label directions. Harvesting: Red Garnet Amaranth is typically ready to harvest in late summer or early fall. The plant will have vibrant red flowers and will begin to produce seeds once the flowers fade. You can harvest the seeds by cutting the flower heads and allowing them to dry, then shaking out the seeds.
