Description
Amaranthus –
There are about 60 species of erect spreading or prostrate annuals or short-lived perennials, used as houseplants, in this genus. Grown as ornamentals, leaf vegetables, and grain crops but some are regarded as a weed. Found in wastelands and in temperature and tropical regions worldwide. They have alternate often-colorful leaves. They bear large upright or pendent catkin, drooping tassel like cymes of numerous densely packed small red or green flowers from early summer to early autumn followed by colored seed heads.
Indoors grow in soil based potting mix in full light, water freely throughout summer and provide high humidity. Where able to grow outside, grow in a sunny dry position and protect from strong winds, in fertile well drained, manure or humus rich site. Prune when young to thicken growth.
Prone to snails, caterpillars, aphids as well as white rust, brown rust, Cercospora leaf spot and phyllasticta leaf spot, root rot, aster yellow and virus disease.
Amaranthus cruentus ‘Golden Giant’ – Prince’s Feather – Purple amaranth – Red amaranth – This annual is native to tropical Northern and Southern America and grows 6’ feet tall and 18” inches wide. It produces ovate to lance shaped coarsely hairy, 6” long purplish green leaves. In summer to early autumn it bears pendent cylindrical terminal cymes 24” inches long of tightly packed red flowers suffused with green followed by prominent golden seed heads.
Hardiness 12-1
