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Cut flowers2 varieties

Amaranthus

Amaranthus cruentus

Warm-season annual with upright burgundy foliage and tassel-like flower clusters useful fresh or dried.

Amaranthus in the field

Days to maturity

65–75 days

Days to germ.

4–10 days

Spacing

3–15 in

Height

48–60 in

Sun

Sun

How we grow it

Germination

Days to germ.
4–10 d
Soil temp
70–75 °F
Depth
0 in
Light for germ
light

Culture

Days to maturity
65–75 d
Spacing
3–15 in
Height
48–60 in
Sun
Sun
Frost
Not frost hardy, and growth slows below 50. · to 32°F · tender
Sow indoors
Yes
Outdoor / direct
Yes

Harvest

Cut stage
Fresh - When at least 3/4 of the flowers on the inflorescence are open. Dried - Seed has begun to set and flowers feel firm.
Handling
Drying - Stand up trailing varieties in a bucket or any tall container to maintain draped appearance. Hang upright varieties to dry.

Recent field notes

Observation

Reached about 8-10" in height.

Observation

First true leaves.

Timing · Zone 5a

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Sow indoorsApr 9 – Apr 23
Outdoor / directMay 21 – Jun 18
Bloom (from indoor)Jun 14 – Jul 5
Bloom (from outdoor)Jul 26 – Aug 30

Windows are anchored to an average last frost of May 21 (1 year in 10 as early as Apr 29, as late as Jun 2) and an average first frost of Sep 18 (1 year in 10 as early as Sep 6, as late as Oct 8). In a late or early year, slide them with it.

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Trials

Every Amaranthus sowingSeed sources, counts, ratings, and the observations kept against each one.Amaranthus trials

Varieties

2 varieties on record