Russell Stafford
Family
Amaranthaceae
Botanical Name
AMARANTHUS caudatus
Plant Common Name
Love-Lies-Bleeding
General Description
Though grown in American gardens primarily for its curious tail-like clusters of colorful flowers, this large annual has long been a staple grain in the northern Andes, where it originated. Once more popular than corn, amaranth grain and greens fed the Incas for thousands of years, and are still a vital crop for peoples of the Andes. Two other species of amaranth are important grain (and ornamental) plants: Amaranthus cruentus and Amaranthus hypochondriacus.
This fast-growing, warm-season annual bears large, elliptic, bright green or reddish leaves on stout, upright, often purple- or red-tinged stems. Young leaves can be prepared and eaten like spinach. In summer and fall, fuzzy, deep red spikes containing thousands of tiny flowers droop from the stem tips and leaf axils, resembling velvet cords. Green- and purple-red-flowered cultivars also exist, as do short-spiked selections that are grown for their more easily harvested seed. Plants are monoecious, with both male and female flowers. Female flowers produce masses of small, round, edible seeds, as many as 100,000 per plant. The ivory, burgundy, or brown seeds are rich in proteins and essential amino acids.
Amaranths like it hot and perform best in full sun and average to poor, well-drained soil. A single plant will produce lots of volunteer seedlings. Just weed out the ones you don’t want. This ornamental is best sown in place in warm soil, but can also be started earlier in a warm greenhouse. Mature plants are drought tolerant but grow and flower better if watered during dry spells. This annual thrives in subtropical and tropical regions.
The amaranth seeds should be harvested when they fall easily from the dried flower heads. Use a sifter to separate the seed from the chaff. Store the seed in sealed containers in a cool dry place.
As an ornamental, love-lies-bleeding is ideal for old-fashioned beds and borders. Its large stature and curious inflorescences make it a good feature plant. The blooms are great for cutting, and will retain some of their red color (and shed their seeds) when dried.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 1
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Annual
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
3'-6' / 0.9m - 1.8m
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Width
18"-36" / 45.7cm - 91.4cm
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Bloom Time
Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall, Late Fall, Indeterminate
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Native To
South America
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Drought
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Upright/Erect
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Bedding Plant, Cutflower, Dried Flower/Everlasting, Edible, Feature Plant, Herb / Vegetable, Mixed Border, Tropical, Wildflower
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
Sometimes
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Attracts
Birds
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Self-Sowing
Yes
