Amaranth Seeds - Red Garnet - Amaranthus tricolor

2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

USDA Zones 2-11: Grows as a fast-maturing warm-season annual across all zones. Amaranth is not frost-tolerant and must be planted after all danger of frost has passed and the soil is very warm.

Best Performance (Zones 6-11): Thrives in long, hot, and sunny summers. This is its ideal climate, as intense heat only encourages more vigorous, leafy growth.

Northern Zones (2-5): Starting seeds indoors is recommended. Start 3-4 weeks before your last frost date. Transplant outdoors only when all frost danger has passed and the soil is at least 65 degrees F.

Hot Climate Zones (8-11): This plant is a superstar in hot climates. Direct sow in spring after the soil warms and harvest all summer long. It is an excellent and reliable source of greens during the hottest months.

Soil Temperature: Requires very warm soil to germinate. The minimum is 65 degrees F, but optimal germination occurs at 70-85 degrees F. Seeds will rot or fail to sprout in cool, damp soil.

Growing Season: Requires 40-60 frost-free days to produce a harvestable crop. It is fast-maturing but absolutely requires warm weather to grow.

Learn more about USDA Hardiness Zones here

When to Plant (Indoors):

For short-season northern climates, start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before your average last frost date. Transplant carefully after hardening off, once all frost danger has passed.

When to Plant (Outdoors):

Recommended Method: Direct sow seeds 1-2 weeks after your average last frost date.

Critical: Wait until the soil is thoroughly warm—at least 65 degrees F, and ideally 70 degrees F or warmer. Planting in cool soil will lead to poor germination.

Where to Plant:

Sunlight: Full sun is essential. The more sun the plant gets, the more intense and vibrant its red leaf color will be.

Soil: Plant in average to rich, well-drained soil. It is not a fussy plant but does not like to be in waterlogged soil.

How to Plant:

Depth: Amaranth seeds are very small. Plant them no more than 1/4 inch deep. You can also surface sow and lightly rake or press the seeds into the soil to ensure good contact.

Spacing: Sow seeds about 1-2 inches apart.

Rows: Space rows 18-24 inches apart.

Germination: Seeds will sprout in 7-14 days in warm, moist soil.

Growing and Care:

Thinning (Critical): When seedlings are 3-4 inches tall, thin them to stand 12-18 inches apart. This is essential to give them room to grow into large, bushy plants. You can eat the delicious thinnings as baby greens.

Watering: Keep the seedbed evenly moist until germination. Once established, Amaranth is quite drought-tolerant. However, for the most tender and productive leaves, provide consistent, weekly watering (about 1 inch).

Fertilizing: This plant does not need heavy feeding. Amending the soil with compost at planting is usually sufficient. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which can dilute the red color.

Harvesting:

Baby Leaf: You can begin harvesting individual outer leaves ("cut-and-come-again") when plants are 6-8 inches tall.

Mature Leaves: Harvest heavily, or cut the entire plant, before it sends up a central flower stalk (bolts). As the plant begins to flower, the leaves become tougher and less palatable.