How to Grow Amaranth

An amaranth is a colorful annual flower that is easily grown. Amaranth flowers are often used in dried flower arrangements as they keep their color after they are dried. Amaranth is a Greek word that means "unfaded." There are many species of amaranth flowers that include herbs, flowers and seeds. Many amaranth species are also harvested for food.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Pick an area to plant your amaranth. This area needs to receive full sun and the soil must be well drained. Plant amaranths in containers or in your garden. The containers need to be fairly large as the amaranth becomes a bush.

2. Plant your amaranth seeds early in the season. Sprinkle the seeds 10 to 12 inches apart and cover them lightly with soil. The amaranth seeds tolerate some groupings but they prosper more when spaced apart.

3. Fertilize the amaranth once or twice during the growing season. The fertilizer needs to be for flowering plants with low or no nitrogen. Take care not to over-fertilize your amaranth. Doing so may result in damage to the plant.

4. Spray the stalks and ground lightly with water during wet seasons. Water the plants once or twice a week during the dry seasons.

5. Protect your plants from insects and disease. Although amaranth plants are resilient, there are some insects such as aphids that prefer flowering plants. In humid areas, mildew becomes a problem. Check your plant for mildew once a week. If disease, insects or mildew become a problem, treat the plant early with mild repellents or fungicides.

6. Maintain the area around the amaranth. Remove any weeds growing around the plant as they stunt its growth.

Resources

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