Amaranth Grain — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Amaranthus hypochondriacus |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 5–10 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 18.3–29.4 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 90–120 |
| Measured from | Seed |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 30.5–45.7 |
| Mature height (cm) | 121.9–213.4 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 30.5–45.7 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 2–11 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Low |
| Sowing method | Direct sow |
Growing directions
Scatter seeds thinly on firm, moist, weed-free soil and press gently without covering — seeds are tiny and need light to germinate well; thin seedlings to 12–18 inches when they reach 3 inches tall. Grain amaranth is a tall, drought-resistant warm-season annual producing enormous plume-like flower heads packed with thousands of tiny seeds that are 13–16% complete protein and rich in lysine, an amino acid deficient in most grains. The seeds pop like popcorn, cook into porridge, or grind into gluten-free flour. Young leaves are edible as a potherb. Harvest when the seed heads begin to dry but before rain can cause mold — cut the stalks and dry in a ventilated space, then thresh by rubbing between hands or rolling in a cloth sack. One plant can produce several pounds of grain in a good season.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0