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 tricolor ‘Illumination’ – Chinese spinach – Tampala – This erect bushy, fast growing annual, it grows 18″ inches tall and 12-18” wide. It bears 8” long, egg shape or elliptic shaped multicolor leaves from bright rose red on the upper leaves topped with gold and with the lower leaves are copper-brown. It bears insignificant tiny green or red flowers from summer to early autumn. This variety has given rise to many strains which some are used as leaf vegetables.
Hardiness 12-5
