Grow Amaranth

In the spring, you should grow amaranth in your garden with very small seeds that you get from David's Garden Seeds®.

Many gardeners know amaranth as an ornamental plant first. They notice the rich red, burgundy, green, gold, or purple leaves and the dramatic tassels. What they often do not realize is that amaranth is also edible, and in many cases the seeds can be used like a grain.

That mix of beauty and usefulness is what makes amaranth so fun to grow. You can plant it because it looks striking, then later harvest the seeds for your kitchen. On top of that, chickens love it, so very little goes to waste.

I think that is part of the charm. You start out admiring the color in the garden, and by the end of the season you are holding a homegrown food crop. Few ornamentals can do that.

Some amaranth we grew this year back by the chicken coop.

Some golden amaranth we grew this year back by the chicken coop.

Grow Amaranth - 10/5-10/11/2026

If you want a plant that looks bold, feeds people, and makes your chickens happy, you should grow amaranth in your garden. It is one of those rare plants that does almost everything. It brings color to beds and baskets, it makes interesting seed heads, and it gives you a grain you can actually eat.

If you have never tried to grow amaranth in your garden, do not worry. It is usually considered easy to grow once the weather is warm. It also handles summer heat well, which makes it a great choice for many home gardens.

Amaranth belongs to a group of plants grown for leaves, seeds, or ornament. Some kinds are prized mostly for dramatic flowers, while others are grown more for grain production. Still, many garden types can be both lovely and useful.

Grow Amaranth - Seeds, Sun, Soil

Some of the many colors of amaranth that you can grow...

The seeds are tiny, so your first step is really about planning. Choose a sunny spot if you want strong growth and better seed production. Amaranth generally does best with plenty of light and warm soil.

Full sun is the safest choice. Aim for at least six hours of direct sunlight a day, and more is even better. In shady places, plants may stretch, lean, or produce fewer seed heads.

Soil matters too, but amaranth is not usually fussy. It grows best in well-drained soil. If your ground stays soggy after rain, improve drainage before planting or use raised beds.

I like to loosen the soil before sowing because the tiny seeds need a fine surface to settle into. You do not need anything fancy. Just break up clumps, remove weeds, and rake the top so the bed is smooth.

If your soil is poor, mix in compost before planting. Compost improves texture and adds gentle nutrition. You do not need to overfeed amaranth, but a healthy bed gives young plants a good start.

Grow Amaranth -When Do I Plant

Wait until frost danger has passed and the soil has warmed. Amaranth likes heat. Cold, wet spring conditions can slow germination and stress seedlings.

You can sow amaranth seeds directly in the garden, and that is often the easiest method. Scatter them thinly over the prepared soil or sow them in shallow rows. Since the seeds are so small, cover them only lightly with soil.

After sowing, water gently so you do not wash the seeds away. A soft spray or watering can with a rose works well. Keep the top layer of soil lightly moist while you wait for germination.

In warm conditions, seedlings often appear fairly quickly. Once they come up, you may need to thin them. This is important because crowded plants compete for light, water, and space.

Grow Amaranth - Spacing, Soil

Check your seed packet for spacing suggestions, since different types vary in size. Some stay smaller and fit nicely into containers or mixed beds. Others grow tall and bold and need room to stand upright.

If you want to use amaranth as an ornamental feature, think about placement before the plants get big. Tall types look wonderful at the back of borders. Cascading or dramatic seed-head forms can also look lovely in large containers or hanging baskets if the variety is suited to that use.

Hanging baskets can really show off colorful foliage and drooping flower clusters. The key is to use a basket large enough to hold moisture and support root growth. A small basket dries too fast and may not support a vigorous plant for long.

For baskets and containers, choose a potting mix that drains well. Make sure the container has drainage holes. Then place it where the plant gets plenty of sun and some shelter from harsh wind.

Grow Amaranth - Watering, Mulch, Fertilizer

Watering is simple once the plants are established. Young seedlings need steady moisture so they can root well. Older plants are more tolerant of dry weather, but they still grow best with regular watering during long hot spells.

The goal is even moisture, not soggy soil. Water deeply, then let the top of the soil begin to dry before watering again. Shallow, frequent watering can lead to weak roots.

Container-grown amaranth dries out faster than plants in the ground. Check baskets and pots often in summer. On very hot days, you may need to water once a day, especially if the plant is large.

Mulch can help a lot in garden beds. A light layer around the plants helps hold moisture, slows weeds, and keeps the soil from heating and cooling too fast. Just keep mulch a little away from the stems.

Feeding does not need to be complicated. If you planted in compost-rich soil, your amaranth may need very little extra help. Too much fertilizer can push leafy growth at the expense of strong seed production.

If plants seem pale or slow, a light feeding with a balanced fertilizer can help. Use it sparingly. In many home gardens, less is more with amaranth.

Grow Amaranth - Weeding

Weeding matters most early on. Small seedlings can be crowded out by fast-growing weeds. Once amaranth gets taller and stronger, it usually competes much better on its own.

One thing gardeners love is how dramatic amaranth becomes as the season moves along. Leaves deepen in color, stems thicken, and flower or seed heads begin to form. At that stage, it starts to look like a real showpiece.

Colors are part of the fun. Depending on the variety, you may see rich reds, bronze tones, lime green, deep purple, or mixed shades. If you want a bold display, group several colors together so the planting feels intentional and lively.

Because the plant is so striking, it pairs well with flowers that have simpler forms. It can act like a focal point in a bed. Even a single plant can draw the eye.

Grow Amaranth - Saving Seeds

If you also want seeds to harvest, let the flower heads mature on the plant. Over time, the heads dry and the seeds develop. Patience helps here, because harvesting too early can reduce what you collect.

You can tell harvest time is getting close when the seed heads feel drier and some seeds begin to loosen. A gentle rub between your fingers may release a few. That is a good sign the crop is nearing readiness.

To harvest, cut mature seed heads and place them somewhere dry to finish curing if needed. Many gardeners let them dry further indoors in a well-ventilated place. This makes it easier to remove the seeds.

Once the heads are dry, rub or shake them over a clean surface or container. The tiny seeds fall out along with bits of chaff. This step can be a little messy, so working over a tray helps.

After that, clean the seeds as well as you can. You can gently blow away lighter chaff or pour the seed and chaff mixture back and forth between containers in a light breeze. Take your time, because the seeds are small and easy to lose.

Store clean, dry seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Good storage matters if you plan to cook them later. It also matters if you want to save amaranth seeds for planting next season.

Grow Amaranth - Using Amaranth As Food

Amaranth flour can be made by grinding amaranth off the vine.

One of the best parts of growing this plant is the food side. You can eat amaranth in more than one way. The seeds can be cooked, ground, or popped.

Popped amaranth is especially fun because it surprises people. The seeds are tiny, but with heat they pop much like miniature popcorn. You can toast them and sprinkle them over other foods for a light crunch.

If you want to make flour, grind the dried seeds after they are cleaned well. Amaranth flour can be used in cooking and baking, often mixed with other flours. Homegrown grain feels special because you watched it go from flower to food.

I still remember the first time I harvested a small bowl of seeds from ornamental amaranth and realized I was holding a real grain crop from my flower bed. It changed the way I looked at useful plants. Since then, I have always liked plants that do more than one job.

Grow Amaranth - Chickens Love It!

Some of my chickens. They love to eat amaranth!

Chickens are fans too. You can offer seed heads to them, and many birds will happily peck at the seeds. That makes amaranth a practical plant for gardeners who keep a backyard flock.

If you grow enough, you can share some of the harvest between kitchen use and chicken feed. That balance is part of the appeal. The plant serves both people and animals.

Grow Amaranth - Reseeding Itself

Amaranth can also reseed itself in some gardens if seed heads are left to drop. That can be helpful or annoying, depending on your style of gardening. If you want to control spread, harvest before seeds scatter widely.

In windy sites, tall plants may need support. A simple stake can keep stems upright if heavy seed heads make them lean. This is more likely with large varieties grown in rich soil.

Problems are often fairly limited when the plant is grown in the right conditions. Stress from soggy soil, weak light, or crowding causes more trouble than anything else. Healthy plants in sun usually do quite well.

If leaves look poor or growth stalls, go back to the basics. Check sunlight, soil drainage, spacing, and watering habits. Most plant issues become easier to solve when you look at those simple things first.

For gardeners who like low-fuss plants, amaranth has a lot going for it. It tolerates heat, adds strong color, and produces an edible seed crop. That is a rare combination in one plant.

It is also a smart choice for gardeners who want their landscapes to do more. Instead of separating flowers from food, you can blend the two. Amaranth helps make the garden both beautiful and productive.

Grow Amaranth - Oh, The Colors!

If you want to grow amaranth in your garden mainly for looks, choose colors that fit your space. Deep burgundy can look dramatic and formal. Green or gold forms can brighten mixed plantings and make nearby flowers stand out. Pink is fun.

If your main goal is food, look for varieties known for good seed production. If your main goal is ornament, choose forms with striking leaves or drooping tassels. If you want both, try a few kinds and see which ones perform best for you.

This is really the joy of experimenting in the garden. One year you may focus on color in containers. The next year you may plant a larger patch just to harvest enough seed to pop or grind.

When friends ask about the unusual plant with the bold leaves and hanging plumes, you get to tell them it is more than decoration. You can explain that amaranth is a useful plant that most gardeners grow as an ornamental, even though it can also feed people and chickens. That often makes people see it in a whole new way.

Grow Amaranth - Edible Flower Gardening

If you are new to edible gardening, amaranth is a fun bridge plant. It does not ask you to give up beauty for usefulness. Instead, it gives you both at once.

To keep things simple, remember the basic care steps:

Plant after frost in warm soil.
Give it full sun.
Use well-drained soil.
Water regularly while young.
Harvest mature seed heads when dry.

And here is the simple use list:

Pop the seeds for a crunchy snack.
Grind them into flour.
Save seed for next year.
Share seed heads with chickens.
Enjoy the plants as bold ornamentals all season.

Grow Amaranth - Recipe For Breakfast Porridge

Here is a simple recipe using amaranth:

You can make a quick and creamy amaranth breakfast porridge in about 20 minutes.

Ingredients

1/2 cup amaranth seeds
1.5 cups water or milk
Pinch of salt
Toppings: honey, cinnamon, and walnuts or fresh berries

Instructions

Combine ingredients: Put the amaranth, liquid, and salt into a small pot.

Boil and simmer: Turn the heat to medium-high until it boils. Turn the heat down to low, cover the pot with a lid, and cook for 20 minutes until the liquid is gone.

Fluff and serve: Stir the warm porridge. Add a splash of milk if it is too thick, then top with honey, cinnamon, and fruit.

So if you have been looking for something different, useful, and beautiful, this may be the year to grow amaranth in your garden. It is colorful enough for a flower bed, interesting enough for a container, and productive enough for the kitchen. Few plants offer that kind of range.

Once you try it, you may wonder why more gardeners do not plant it. Amaranth gives you color, texture, movement, food, and feed all in one package. Start with a packet of seeds, give them warmth and sun, and you may end the season with one of the most rewarding plants in your whole garden.

Monday, October 5, 2026

Good morning. At 6:30am, David and Matt loaded up the four boys going to auction. I could hear the sweet babies screaming from the house when I let the dogs out. They did not want to grabbed in the dark and carried off. Poor things. Hopefully, they will get good homes and live good lives...

David and Matt are on their way to Hondo. I need to go out and feed the rest of the goats but it is still a bit dark and I am afraid of holes and snakes. The stupid gophers are always digging holes and you can't see them in the dark. I have fallen before because of holes in the ground that suddenly appear where there were none.

We have no helper coming today so a lot of work won't get done because I can't do it all.

Tuesday, October 6, 2026

Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Thursday, October 8, 2026

Friday, October 9, 2026

Saturday, October 10, 2026

Sunday, October 11, 2026

Return from Grow Amaranth to Year Eight Of Life On The Farm

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