These edible plants offer both nutritious grains and greens.
Use this guide to grow edible amaranth in your garden.
Where to Plant Amaranth
Plant amaranth in rows in the vegetable garden for easy harvest.
Credit: Janet Mesic Mackie
Growing 4 to 8 feet tall, it is best planted where it will not shade nearby plants.
Amaranth also grows well alongside perennials in the garden where it contributes impressive height and unusual flowers.
Create a bird-friendly planting by combining it withsunflowers,coneflowers, and elderberry.
Each of these easy-to-grow plants unfurls a bird buffet of seeds and fruit whileproviding a valuable habitat.
How and When to Plant Edible Amaranth
Amaranth is easy to grow from seed.
Sow seeds in potting mix for seed-starting and water them gently.
Keep moist until the seedlings emerge.
Place the seedlings in a bright, sunny window oruse grow lightsto provide consistent bright light.
Transplant seedlings outdoors when all chance of frost has passed.
Plant seedlings 10 to 12 inches apart.
Edible Amaranth Care Tips
Light
Amaranth grows best infull sun.
Soil and Water
Plant edible amaranth inwell-drained soilthat is rich in organic matter.
Water the plants during periods of drought and weed around amaranth regularly to prevent competition for water.
Harvesting Amaranth
Harvest young leaves for use in salads a month or so after seeding.
Harvest seeds for grain 100-110 days after seeding.
Several varieties of this annual plant are available, offering different flower colors and foliage hues.
It can reach 7 feet tall and its attractive flower plumes can be purplish pink or greenish yellow.
