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Amaranth — Amaranthus species (Grain Amaranth & Leaf Amaranth)

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Amaranth — Amaranthus species (Grain Amaranth & Leaf Amaranth)

layout: base.njk title: Amaranth description: Growing Amaranth in West Virginia (Zone 6b/7a) category: warm-season

Quick Reference: See detailed growing information below

Type: Annual
Family: Amaranthaceae (Amaranth Family)
Sun: Full sun (6-8+ hours)
Water: Low to Moderate (drought-tolerant once established; 1/2-1" per week)
Soil pH: 6.0-7.5 (extremely adaptable)
Hardiness: Annual (frost-tender, heat-loving)

🌱 Expected Yield

  • Leaf amaranth: 2-4 lbs per plant (continuous harvest with regular cutting)
  • Grain amaranth: 1/2 to 1 lb of seed per plant (10-15 lbs per 100 sq ft)
  • Per 10' row (grain): 5-10 lbs of seed
  • Notes: Amaranth is dual-purpose: young leaves for greens, mature seeds for grain. Leaf production is continuous when outer leaves are harvested. Grain yield varies by variety, season length, and soil fertility.

In Zone 6b/7a, grain amaranth may not fully mature in cool, short summers—black plastic and early planting improve success. Leaves are more reliable than grain in marginal seasons..

🏺 Heirloom Varieties

GRAIN AMARANTH (Amaranthus cruentus, A. hypochondriacus, A. caudatus)

'Opopeo'

  • Source: Baker Creek (rareseeds.com), Seed Savers Exchange (seedsavers.org), Southern Exposure (southernexposure.com)
  • Days: 100 days
  • Notes: A. cruentus. Mexican heirloom. Deep red leaves and seed heads. 5-6 feet tall. Bronze-gold seeds. Excellent yield. Beautiful ornamental value. Traditional variety for grain and greens. Heat-tolerant.

'Plenty'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Seed Savers Exchange
  • Days: 95 days
  • Notes: A. cruentus. Selected for cold tolerance. Golden seed heads. 4-5 feet tall. Early maturing. Best for short seasons (Zone 6). Good yield. Red-tinged leaves. Rodale Institute selection.

'Golden Giant'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Southern Exposure, Johnny's Selected Seeds (johnnyseeds.com)
  • Days: 100 days
  • Notes: A. cruentus. Golden-orange seed heads. 4-6 feet tall. High yield. Excellent popping quality (like popcorn). Sweet, nutty flavor. Beautiful in bouquets. Dual-purpose (grain and ornamental).

'Red Garnet'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Southern Exposure, most seed companies
  • Days: 90 days
  • Notes: A. tricolor. Red, purple, and green variegated leaves. Primarily grown as leaf amaranth, but produces small amount of grain. 2-3 feet tall. Stunning ornamental. Young leaves mild, excellent for salads. Edible flowers.

'Love-Lies-Bleeding'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Seed Savers Exchange, Southern Exposure
  • Days: 100 days
  • Notes: A. caudatus. Dramatic drooping red flower heads (12-18" long). 4-5 feet tall. Primarily ornamental, but seeds are edible. Lower grain yield. Ancient variety (grown by Incas). Beautiful in bouquets. Self-seeds readily.

'Alegria'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Native Seeds/SEARCH
  • Days: 105 days
  • Notes: A. cruentus. Mexican variety. Name means "joy" in Spanish. Golden seed heads. 5-6 feet tall. Traditional for making alegria (popped amaranth bars with honey). High yield. Heat-tolerant. Cultural significance.

'Kew's Golden'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Seed Savers Exchange
  • Days: 100 days
  • Notes: A. hypochondriacus. Selected at Kew Gardens. Golden seed heads. 4-5 feet tall. Good yield. Early maturing. Reliable in Zone 6. Ornamental value.

'Green Love Lies'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Seed Savers Exchange
  • Days: 100 days
  • Notes: A. caudatus. Green drooping flower heads (rare form). 4-5 feet tall. Primarily ornamental. Seeds edible. Unique color. Self-seeds readily.

'Hopi Red Dye'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Native Seeds/SEARCH, Seed Savers Exchange
  • Days: 100 days
  • Notes: A. cruentus. Hopi tribal variety. Deep red-purple plant. Used traditionally for red dye (from flowers and leaves). Seeds edible. 4-5 feet tall. Cultural significance. Beautiful color.

'Autumn's Touch'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Southern Exposure
  • Days: 95 days
  • Notes: A. caudatus. Drooping flower heads in shades of gold, rust, and burgundy. 3-4 feet tall. Primarily ornamental. Edible seeds. Beautiful in bouquets. Self-seeds.

'Pigmy Torch'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Johnny's Selected Seeds
  • Days: 70 days
  • Notes: A. cruentus. Dwarf variety (18-24" tall). Red flower heads. Good for containers. Grain production limited. Primarily ornamental. Early. Good for small gardens.

'Velvet Prince'

  • Source: Baker Creek, specialty seed companies
  • Days: 90 days
  • Notes: A. tricolor. Tri-color leaves (red, green, cream). 2-3 feet tall. Primarily leaf variety. Stunning ornamental. Mild flavor. Good for salads.

📜 Cultural History & Domestication

Domesticated: Amaranth was domesticated independently in multiple regions. Grain amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus, A. hypochondriacus) was domesticated in Central America and the Andes by 4000-3000 BCE, making it one of the earliest domesticated crops in the Americas. Leaf amaranth (A. tricolor, A. dubius) was domesticated in Asia (India, Southeast Asia) by 2000-1000 BCE.

Archaeological Evidence: Amaranth seeds have been found in Tehuacán caves in Mexico dating to 4000 BCE. Amaranth remains appear in Andean sites from 3000 BCE. In India, amaranth appears in archaeological contexts from 1000 BCE. The widespread ancient distribution suggests multiple independent domestications.

Historical Record - The Americas:

Amaranth was a staple crop of the Aztec Empire (1400s-1500s), second only to corn in importance. The Aztecs called amaranth huauhtli in Nahuatl. Amaranth grain was used to make tzoalli, a dough mixed with honey and human blood (from sacrificial victims), shaped into figures of gods, and eaten in religious ceremonies.

When Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés conquered the Aztecs (1521), he recognized amaranth's religious significance and banned its cultivation throughout New Spain (Mexico). Growing amaranth became punishable by death. The Spanish destroyed amaranth fields and replaced them with European crops. This nearly extinguished amaranth cultivation in the Americas.

Survival: Despite the Spanish ban, amaranth survived in remote indigenous communities. The Hopi people in what is now Arizona continued growing amaranth (Hopi Red Dye variety). In Central and South American highlands, indigenous peoples preserved amaranth cultivation.

Revival: Amaranth was rediscovered by agronomists in the 1970s. The National Academy of Sciences published "Amaranth: Modern Prospects" (1984), highlighting its nutritional value and potential. The Rodale Institute began breeding cold-tolerant, early-maturing varieties for temperate climates. Today, amaranth is grown commercially in the U.S., Peru, China, and India.

Historical Record - Asia:

Leaf amaranth has been cultivated in India for over 2000 years. Sanskrit texts mention amaranth. In Hindi, it is called chaulai or chauli. Amaranth is integral to Indian cuisine, used in curries, stir-fries, and as pot herb. Different regions prefer different varieties (red-leaved vs. green-leaved).

Amaranth spread from India to China (Tang Dynasty, 600-900 CE), Southeast Asia, and Africa. In China, it is called yin choy. In the Philippines, it is kulitis. Each culture developed unique culinary traditions around leaf amaranth.

Caribbean Tradition:

Enslaved Africans brought knowledge of leaf amaranth to the Caribbean. The name "callaloo" derives from Caribbean indigenous languages. Callaloo (the dish) is made from amaranth leaves, okra, coconut milk, and spices. It is the national dish of Trinidad and Tobago. Callaloo represents African diaspora foodways and resilience.

African Cultivation:

Leaf amaranth arrived in Africa via trade routes from Asia. It is now widely grown throughout West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Benin) and East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania). In Nigeria, it is called tete. In Kenya, it is terere. Amaranth provides crucial nutrition in subsistence farming systems.

Nutritional Renaissance:

Amaranth grain has exceptional nutritional profile: - Protein: 13-18% (higher than wheat, rice, corn) - Lysine: High levels (limiting amino acid in most grains) - Complete protein: Contains all essential amino acids - Calcium: 2-3 times higher than wheat - Iron: 3-5 times higher than wheat - Fiber: High insoluble fiber - Gluten-free: Safe for celiac disease

Leaf amaranth is equally nutritious: - Vitamin A: Very high (beta-carotene) - Vitamin C: High levels - Calcium: Higher than spinach - Iron: High levels - Protein: 3-5% fresh weight

Modern Significance:

Amaranth is recognized as a "crop of the future" for several reasons: - Climate resilience: Heat and drought tolerant - C3 photosynthesis: More efficient than C4 crops in some conditions - Low input: Grows in poor soils, requires minimal fertilizer - Dual-purpose: Both leaves and grain are edible - Nutritional density: Addresses malnutrition - Short season: Leaf varieties harvestable in 30-40 days

In the context of climate change, amaranth's heat tolerance and drought resistance make it increasingly valuable. It produces when other crops fail.

Cultural Revival:

Indigenous communities in Mexico and Central America are reviving traditional amaranth cultivation. Organizations like Amaranth Institute (founded 1998) promote research and development. Heirloom seed savers preserve diverse varieties.

Why Grow Amaranth?

  1. Nutritional powerhouse: Complete protein, minerals, vitamins
  2. Climate resilient: Thrives in heat and drought
  3. Dual-purpose: Greens and grain from same plant
  4. Easy to grow: Few pests, few diseases, low maintenance
  5. Beautiful: Ornamental value in gardens
  6. Cultural heritage: Connects to ancient agricultural traditions
  7. Seed saving: Easy to save seed (for grain varieties)

📖 Sources Consulted

  1. The Amaranth Cookbook - Susan M. Clark (Ten Speed Press, 2019) 2.

Amaranth: Modern Prospects - National Academy of Sciences (1984) 3. Heirloom Vegetable Gardening - William Woys Weaver (Rodale, 1997) 4. Lost Crops of the Americas - National Research Council (2006) 5.

Seed Savers Exchange Yearbook (2020-2025 editions) 6. Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds Catalog (2025) 7. Southern Exposure Seed Exchange Catalog (2025) 8.

WVU Extension Service: Amaranth and Alternative Grains (2024) 9. ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture: Amaranth (NCAT, 2023) 10. Tropical Plant Database - Ken Fern (Plants for a Future, 2025) 11.

Native Seeds/SEARCH Catalog (2025).

Added to WV Planting Guide 26155 — The Loop Farmstead

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