Amaranth

Grow something a little different this year and try amaranth. It will likely grow taller than you and produce stunning, large reddish to gold flowers. It's almost worth growing just for the flowers alone.

Vegetable amaranth produces coleuslike green leaves overlaid with burgundy patches. Use the tender young leaves in salads and stir-fries, similar to spinach. The leaves have a nutty, tangy flavor, so are best mixed with other greens. The seeds are a favorite of nutrition-conscious cooks, especially vegetarians, who like its high protein and fiber content. The seeds, which are produced in abundance, can be used as a cereal, ground into flour, popped, toasted, or cooked with other grains.

Light:

Sun

Plant Type:

Vegetable

Plant Height:

1-6 feet tall

Plant Width:

1-3 feet wide

Special Features:

Attractive Foliage, Cut Flowers, Drought Tolerant, Easy to Grow

Top Varieties

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'Red Calaloo' amaranth is grown primarily for its colorful and tasty leaves.
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'Wario' amaranth features burgundy blooms atop 5-foot-tall plants. Seeds can be ground into nutritious flour.
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