Amaranthus Red (Love-Lies-Bleeding)

Amaranthus caudatus is a Half-Hardy Annual.

It is a vigorous, fast-growing plant that needs space to show off its trailing habit. It originates from the tropics (South America), so it thrives in a warm, sunny summer.

The "Ancient Grain": While we grow it for the flowers, this is the same species grown by the Incas for its nutritious seeds (Amaranth grain). The leaves are also edible (like spinach), though we recommend leaving them for the plant to fuel those huge flowers!

Amaranthus hates the cold. Treat it like a tomato or chilli plant.

Germination:
Sow indoors in April-May. Surface sow onto moist compost and cover lightly with vermiculite. Keep warm (20°C). Germination is rapid (7-10 days).

Where to Sow:
Do not plant out until June or when all risk of frost has passed. It needs a sunny, sheltered spot. It tolerates poor, dry soil surprisingly well (rich soil makes it grow huge leaves but fewer flowers).

Care While Growing:
Staking: The flower tassels are heavy! Even though the stems are thick, a bamboo cane is often needed to stop the plant toppling over under the weight of its own beauty.

Amaranthus needs bold partners that won't be overshadowed by its size:

• Sunflowers (Helianthus): The Height Match. Only Sunflowers are tall enough to stand alongside Amaranthus. The yellow heads and red tassels create a vibrant, hot-coloured jungle effect.
• Cosmos 'Purity': The Contrast. The white, airy clouds of Cosmos foliage help break up the heavy, solid ropes of the Amaranthus, preventing the border from looking too dense.

Sow indoors in spring. Plant out June. Flowers July to October.