Species Red Root Amaranth
lime-green flowers and green leaves on light-brown stems

Red Root Amaranth

Amaranthus retroflexus

Red Root Amaranth (Amaranthus retroflexus) is an herbaceous annual plant native to North America and often found growing in disturbed soils and on roadsides. It grows up to 3ā€“6 feet tall and has dark green, alternate leaves up to 8 inches long. Stems are red or reddish-purplish in color. The speciesā€™ edible flowers vary but are usually white or red. The plant has a complex root system and durable tap root, hence its moniker. It produces thousands of tiny, red seeds which are considered a pseudo-cereal and are used to make meals and flour products. This species has a long history of traditional uses and can be a reliable source of food.

Watering:

Frequent

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,red,purple

Growth Rate:

Low

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

watering

Amaranth plants should be watered regularly throughout their growing season with about 1 to 2 inches of water per week. Water deeply once a week to ensure that the soil in your garden is completely saturated. Water your amaranth plants in the morning, and avoid wetting the foliage directly as this can lead to disease. During periods of intense heat and drought, increase the amount of water you give your plants to 1 to 2 inches per day. If you live in an area with high humidity, you may need to decrease the amount of water you give your plants.

sunlight

Amaranth (Amaranthus hybridus x var. tuberculatus) grows best in full sun, which would be at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Optimal growth for Amaranth takes place in warm climates with sunny days and cool nights. Exposure to morning sunlight and afternoon shade is ideal, as the cooler temperatures of evenings and mornings are beneficial for many varieties of Amaranth. Too much direct sun or heat can cause foliage to become scorched, so afternoon shade can help protect against such damage.

pruning

Amaranth (Amaranthus hybridus x var. tuberculatus) should be pruned in the late spring or early summer after the plant has flowered. The aim of pruning is to help remove damaged or diseased stems and leaves, and to control the shape and size of the plant. Prune only 8-12 inches of the plant at 1 time, as this should be enough to keep the plant healthy without significantly reducing its size. Pruning should be done with a pair of sharp scissors, and any dead or damaged stems should be removed. If the plant is too large, or if intensive pruning is required, it is best to prune it in stages over the course of several weeks.

āš ļø Perenual and its members cannot be held liable for any health issues that may arise from the information provided on the website or from using any of the plants found on the site. The information provided is intended to be used as general guidelines only.