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Love Lies Bleeding - Foxtail Amaranth (Amaranthus caudatus) Tassel Flower Pendant Amaranth Edible Heirloom Grain

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Love Lies Bleeding - Foxtail Amaranth (Amaranthus caudatus) Tassel Flower Pendant Amaranth Edible Heirloom Herb

Annual 

Height 2 to 8 ft

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. Also known as pendant amaranth, tassel flower, velvet flower, foxtail amaranth, and quiletea, it is a species of annual Neotropical flowering plant that is often grown for its edible leaves and seeds, as well as for its attractive and long ornamental pendant ropes of flowers. The drooping, deep crimson red coloured tassels can be left to reseed or seeds gathered when ready and stored for future plantings. The seeds can be dried, cooked and eaten as oatmeal or ground into a gluten free flour substitute.

Young leaves are tasty and nutritious, and nutritionally similar to beets, Swiss chard and spinach.  Excellent for cut flowers and will keep its colour for about 2 months if used for dried floral arrangements. This variety is easy to grow, sun loving and drought-tolerant. The large plants make striking garden companions to taller flowers like Sunflowers or Tithonia (Mexican Sunflower). Love Lies Bleeding's draping blossoms and unusual texture are highly sought after for stand alone feature plants, borders and container gardening.

Note: The seeds and the leaves of A. caudatus are edible, and when 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.

    • Full Sun
    • Well draining soil/poor soil
    • Direct sow in late spring. Surface sow when outside temp is warmer consistently 70F. Water in lightly until established.
    • OR start indoors 8 to 10 weeks prior to the last frost date; surface sow seeds with consistent warmth 25°C,(77°F)
  • and moisture for optimal germination.
  • Germinates in 4-10 days; keep soil moist but not soggy. Transplant to outdoors after all risk of frost has passed.
  • Matures: germination to flowering typically 60 to 110 days.
  • Spacing: 18 in
  • Harvest: will self seed; if harvesting, once seed heads are dry, collect them and beat them against the inside of the bucket, or roll the stalks between your hands to remove the seeds. Store in closed paper bags to finish drying. Place in a cool dark place.
  • Seed Count: .75 gram
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