Amaranthus caudatus
Love lies bleeding, Amaranthus caudatus, is an annual for USDA Hardiness Zones 2 to 11.
A type of grain, it is one of over 60 species in the Amaranthus genus of the Amaranthaceae family. In the home garden, it is grown primarily as an ornamental specimen.
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A. caudatus is a large, showy plant with striking reddish-purple or gold, velvety, drooping flower panicles that create dramatic focal points in summer to fall gardens.
Cultivated varieties expand the color palette to include additional shades of red and green.
This guide provides all you need to know to grow love lies bleeding at home.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
Let’s get started.
Quick Look
Common name(s): Love lies bleeding, tassel flower, foxtail amaranth,
kiwicha, quihuicha
Plant type: Annual cereal
Hardiness (USDA Zone): 2-11
Native to: South America
Bloom time: Summer to fall
Exposure: Full sun
Soil type: Average to organically-rich loam, well draining
Soil pH: 6.4-8.5, slightly acidic to alkaline
Time to maturity: 60-110 days
Spacing: 18 inches
Planting depth: Barely cover (seeds), depth of root ball (transplants)
Mature size: 1-2 feet wide x 2-5 feet high
Water Needs: Moderate
Taxonomy
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Amaranthaceae
Genus: Amaranthus
Species: Caudatus
Cultivars: Various
The botanical name, Amaranthus caudatus, derives from the Greek amarantos or never-fading, and the Latin caudatus or tailed.
The gruesome name, love lies bleeding, may date to the Victorian era and the advent of a romantic language of flowers that permitted discreet expressions of love and its many emotions.
Also known as tassel flower or foxtail amaranth, the species is a gluten-free grain. It is often referred to as a “pseudo-cereal” and featured as an alternative to mainstream wheat, oats, and corn.
You may find photos and information on this type of amaranth that refer to it by its Quechua names, “kiwicha” and “quihuicha.” These names date to its ancient origins in the tropical Andes Mountains of South America, where Mt. Kiwicha is located.
Evidence of the existence of amaranth dates back 7,000 to 8,000 years, and archeological records suggest that 6,000 years ago it was a domesticated grain crop.
Ancient uses included cooking and medicinal applications for various conditions, including fungal infections, and pulmonary and urinary disorders.
Today, love lies bleeding enjoys popularity as an ornamental plant.
Once established, the species has an above-average tolerance for drought and salt.
Plants characteristically have an upright, bushy growth habit. They achieve mature dimensions of two to five feet tall and one to two feet wide.
As they mature, hundreds of tiny petal-less blooms cluster in tassels suspended dramatically among ample light-green to pink-tinged green foliage.
And while some beneficial pollinators, like honeybees, are not attracted to the extremely small blooms, you may see other bees and a few hummingbirds. And at season’s end, the seeds are a feast for foraging songbirds.
Flower “tails” retain their color for six to eight weeks and share similar cultural requirements with fellow Amaranthaceae family members celosia, cockscomb, and gomphrena.
They add texture and vertical interest to cut flower vases and “everlasting” dry arrangements, although they don’t actually last forever.
A. caudatus self-sows liberally, even earning itself “weed” status in the eyes of gardeners in warmer regions where plants may come up year after year.
Let’s explore how to start a plant.
Propagation
There are two ways to get started: by sowing seeds or transplanting nursery plants.
Here’s how:
From Seed
The seeds are very tiny and measure about one-twenty-fifth of an inch in diameter. They usually sprout in three to five days; however, the length of time from germination to flowering is between 60 and 110 days.
You can get a good jump on the growing season by starting seeds indoors in well-draining potting mix eight to 10 weeks before the last average spring frost.
Seeds should be barely covered with soil and should be at temperature of around 25°C or 77°F (give or take) for optimal germination.
Seed Starter Heat Mat
To maintain this temperature, you may want to use a seed starter mat, such as this one available from Vivosun via Amazon.
Ideally, sow one seed per soil cell. It’s difficult because they are tiny, but do your best. Overcrowding the sprouts can cause the roots to tangle and may adversely affect growth.
While you wait for seeds to germinate, supply even moisture without oversaturation, taking care not to flood the soil and cause the seeds to sink.
Once sprouted, place the seedlings in a sunny place, or beneath a grow light, and continue to provide even moisture.
From Seedlings/Transplanting
Whether you have germinated seedlings or purchased nursery plants, the time to transplant them to the garden is after the danger of frost passes.
Let’s find out how:
- When you are ready to transplant, prepare the garden soil to a depth of about 12 inches. Remove stones and debris to achieve an evenly crumbly consistency.
- Space seedlings or plants 18 inches apart to accommodate mature dimensions, facilitate airflow, inhibit fungal growth and transmission, and make it harder for disease-carrying pests to travel from plant to plant.
- Set them at the same depth they were in their original containers to minimize transplant stress.
- Tamp the soil firmly around them and water.
- Tamp the soil again to remove air pockets.
- Water a second time.
How to Grow
If you want a plant that turns heads, you can’t do much better than Amaranthus caudatus. Luckily, it’s also incredibly easy to grow once you meet its basic needs. Let’s explore what those needs are:
Light
Love lies bleeding thrives in full sun. Aim for at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day. If you live in an area with scorching afternoon rays, the plants can handle it, though a little dappled shade in the hottest part of the day won’t hurt.
Plants grown in partial sun will be leggier, and the flowers won’t be as lush or brightly colored.
Soil
Give your plants loose, well-draining soil. They’re not picky about pH and will tolerate a range from slightly acidic to alkaline with an ideal pH of 6.4 to 8.5.
What matters most is drainage. If you’re dealing with heavy clay, amend with plenty of compost or consider a raised bed.
Temperature and Humidity
Amaranths are heat-loving annuals that thrive in warm weather. Wait to plant until nighttime temperatures stay above 50°F. Ideal daytime temps are between 70 and 85°F.
They’re also relatively humidity-tolerant, though extended periods of wet, humid weather can make them more susceptible to fungal diseases. Good airflow and spacing can help reduce these risks.
Water
Provide one inch of water per week, including rain. Once established, plants have above-average drought tolerance, but keeping soil moist contributes to their best health and most vibrant color.
Fertilizer
Skip the fertilizer. It’s not needed when amaranths are planted in the ground and it can lead to problems.
Toxicity Alert
Both the seeds and leaves of our subject plant are edible, but there is one key point to note:
When A. caudatus is grown in nitrogen-rich soil, a condition often created by chemical fertilization, the leaves become high in nitrates that may be carcinogenic if consumed.
As this may include lawn fertilizer run-off, you may want to consider cultivating your plants in a container or raised bed if you wish to consume the leaves.
Nitrogen is a volatile element that is hard to measure in the soil, even with a soil test. Therefore, we stress that if you consume your plants, you should grow them organically.
Container Growing
Yes, you can grow Amaranthus caudatus in a container—but pick the biggest one you can manage. Choose a pot that holds at least five gallons of soil and has excellent drainage.
Use a light, loamy potting mix, and place the container somewhere it will receive full sun. Water more frequently than you would in-ground, since pots dry out faster, especially in summer heat.
If you use new potting mix that doesn’t include fertilizer or older soil, you’ll want to add a diluted balanced liquid feed every two weeks during the growing season for best results. Potting soil is usually made from bark fines and doesn’t include the nutrients that is available from topsoil.
Cultivars to Select
As mentioned, there are over 50 species of amaranth, so refer to the species’ botanical name, A. caudatus, to be sure you are purchasing our subject plant.
Heirloom Love Lies Bleeding
Find heirloom seeds for this reddish-purple beauty in 300-milligram packets from Botanical Interests.
Some cultivated varieties you may like are:
Coral Fountain
A. caudatus ‘Coral Fountain’ has tassels in a light reddish-purple hue.
They droop among light green foliage on plants that achieve a mature stature of four to five feet tall.
‘Coral Fountain’
If you would like to add ‘Coral Fountain’ to your garden, you can pick up packets of 320 seeds at Botanical Interests.
Dreadlocks
A. caudatus ‘Dreadlocks’ boasts purplish-red tassels.
Heights are between three and five feet tall.
Emerald Tassels
And for something different, try A. caudatus ‘Emerald Tassels.’
‘Emerald Tassels’
Available from David’s Garden Seeds via Amazon, this plant’s tail-like flowers are green and fade to cream. Mature heights may reach five feet.
Each package contains approximately 200 seeds.
Fat Spike
Instead of cascading panicles, A. caudatus ‘Fat Spike’ has upright, finger-like purplish-red flower spikes.
Mature heights are three to four feet.
While thinking about your favorites, let’s discuss potential issues during cultivation, to stay a step ahead of trouble.
Maintenance
If the plant stalks become floppy during the growing season, provide support as needed with bamboo or similar garden stakes.
Prune any damaged or diseased plant material off with clean shears to avoid penetration by opportunistic pests and pathogens.
At season’s end, you can harvest the seeds for eating or planting, or make a bouquet of stalks and hang them upside-down in a cool, dry location for several weeks. When they are completely dry, use them in everlasting floral arrangements.
Alternatively, dig the plants out of the ground and compost them to rid the garden of rotting foliage that may attract pests and diseases.
Pests and Disease
A. caudatus is relatively pest-free, but there are some to watch out for, including:
If you see aphids, dislodge them with a blast of water from the hose.
You can also make a DIY insecticidal soap by mixing five tablespoons of pure soap with one gallon of water. Pour it into a spritz bottle and treat plants as needed.
Alternatively, apply organic insecticidal neem oil per package instructions.
Handpick Japanese beetles and drop them into the same mixture of soapy water mentioned above.
As for slugs and snails, you can go out after dark, pick them off, and crush them. Deter these gastropods by adding food-grade diatomaceous earth to the soil around your plants.
Another pest, the pigweed weevil, Hypolixus haerens, is a destructive burrowing grub that is becoming prevalent on commercial crop plants outside the United States.
This pest spreads damaging fungal pathogens like Fusarium that can cause disease. Organic insecticidal and fungicidal neem oil and pyrethrins, as well as toxic chemical pyrethroid insecticides, may be effective.
However, if this pest becomes a problem in US home gardens where plants are grown ornamentally, the best course of action may be to destroy those affected.
Diseases to be aware of include:
- Anthracnose, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides
- Damping Off Rhizoctonia spp., Pythium spp.
- Lettuce Mosaic Virus
- Wet Rot, Choanephora cucurbitarum
Anthracnose and wet rot are of fungal origin and may respond to treatment with copper-based fungicides. But beware – these fungicides can be toxic, and it may be better to remove affected plants to control the spread.
Damping off is seed or seedling death that may result from sowing too deeply, overwatering, or overcrowding.
Lettuce mosaic virus is spread by feeding aphids, so managing these pests goes a long way toward avoiding this disease.
Harvesting and Storage
Love lies bleeding is a grain that ripens in late summer. The seeds are nutritious, gluten-free, and rich in calcium, dietary fiber, iron, magnesium, and zinc.
Here’s how to collect them:
- Once the tassels begin to lose their color, keep an eye on them.
- As soon as they begin to turn brown, hold a bag under each tassel and gently rub the dry tassels between your thumb and fingers.
- Seeds that are ripe will fall into the bag.
- Remove the chaff and save the seeds in an airtight jar. Store it in a cool, dry, dark place for planting next spring or using in recipes.
If you’d like to try eating the leaves:
Harvest the leaves just before you want to eat them, and select small, young ones for a tender bite.
If you have to keep them fresh for a day or two:
- Place the unwashed leaves in a single layer in a zippered plastic bag. Lay a slightly damp paper towel over them.
- Zip the bag, gently pushing the air out as you go. Lay the bag flat in a low-humidity crisper drawer in the refrigerator for up to two days.
Rinse the leaves thoroughly before using them.
Cooking Ideas
In addition to collecting and saving seeds to plant next year, you may want to try recipes like this one for creamy amaranth porridge from our sister site, Foodal.
It’s a gluten-free hot breakfast cereal packed with protein and nutty goodness for a healthy start to a productive day.
To try organically grown leaves, select young, tender ones, and use them in salads, on sandwiches, or sauteed as a side dish. Their flavor is on the mild side and rather like spinach.
For more information on cooking with amaranth, we recommend this informative article on our sister site, Foodal.
An Annual Showstopper
If you’re looking for a conspicuous specimen to turn a blah wall, fence, or entry into an eye-catching attraction, love lies bleeding may be just what you need.
Remember to start seeds early indoors, as this annual needs up to 110 days to flower. Provide full sun and keep the soil moist for optimal health and color.
If you’d like to feature love lies bleeding in your outdoor space this year, it’s time to choose your favorites and add them to your garden planner.
Love lies bleeding delivers a showstopping performance from summer to fall and is sure to be a conversation starter at your house.
Do you have experience with this plant? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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