Sowing Amaranthus from Seed

Amaranthus is one of my favourite things to grow. It is just so dramatic in an arrangement. And its straightforward to grow and grows well outside in Ireland. I had to include it in our seed collection and I choose the deep red Love Lies Bleeding which I’d grow for the name alone!

Photo credit: Una O’Connor Photography

That’s the red amaranthus on the right, it truly is dramatic. It brings something different to a vase than a flower or folliage. It can be used fresh or dried for winter arrangements. It is also a culinary annual and can be grown as a potted plant. Its so versatile.

How to grow Amaranthus:

Plant Type: Half Hardy Annual (susceptible to frost). This means you don’t plant it out until after you last frost date. Historically that has been around the 20th April here in Carlow but in the last two years we had a May frost so I won’t be planting them until Mid May outside.

Height: 30cm – 100m

When to sow: Feb to April indoors, May to July outdoors.

Flowers : May to October

How to grow: Sow thinly in seed trays approx. 6-8 weeks before last frost date, in a warm  and light area as they need heat to germinate. Keep watering and pot on when they outgrow the seed trays. They will grow faster in individual pots which then need to be acclimatised before planting out after last frost date. Can be also be easily sown directly after last frost, where they are to flower.

Amaranthus will benefit from pinching and the plants will grow bushier as a result so you’ll have more usable stems for floral arrangements.

Amaranthus can be used as both a cut and dried flower. It is also a culinary annual  and can be grown as a pot plant.

Happy Sowing!

Maria