Guide to growing Amaranthus Amaranth; Tampala; tassel flower
The common names for the half hardy annual Amaranthus include Amaranth, Tampala, Tassel flower, Flaming fountain, Fountain plant, Joeseph's coat, Love-lies-bleeding, Molten flower, Prince's feather, and Summer poinsettia. Latin names include Amaranthus retroflexus, Amaranthus spinosus, Amaranthus hypochondriacus, Amaranthus viridis and Amaranthus caudatus.
They typically flower from summer until the early autumn.
Description of Amaranth, Tassel Flower
Amaranthus are large bushy plants that normally grow between 90 and 130cm in height.
Grain Amaranth have striking tassels of darkest red or green flowers. They make ideal container plants.
How to grow Tassel flowers, Amaranth
It is best to sow grain amaranth just beneath the soil surface, with a spacing of 20 to 30 cm for smaller species and up to 50 cm apart for larger species in the spring, after the last frost. Amaranth prefers partly shady to full sunlight conditions. The soil type is not overly important, though should have a PH between 6 and 7; for the most vibrant flowers it is best that the soil is not too rich, as this soil type encourages growth. Amarantus requires between 10 and 17 days to germinate. If starting off indoors they shoiuld be grown at a temperature of between 21 and 24 degrees celsius in peat pots for seven to eight weeks before planting out after the last frost of spring.
Caring for Amaranthus in the garden
Amaranthus care is easy, they just require frequent watering in the summer.
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