Burgundy Amaranth

Family: Amaranthaceae Leafy Green

Sink your spoon into the rich, velvety allure of Burgundy Amaranth—tender leaves with a deep wine-burgundy glow and a pleasantly earthy, slightly sweet flavor.

Expect lush, succulent texture that holds its body beautifully, ideal for steaming-fresh greens, vibrant sautés, and strikingly colored sauces and pickles. Grow it for a dramatic garden accent and a steady harvest of leafy abundance from mid-summer into fall.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Burgundy Amaranth

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 4th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	70
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Burgundy Amaranth leans earthy-sweet with a soft, almost silky leaf texture that won’t disintegrate the way many tender greens do. Use it hot and fast—steamed or sautéed—then let citrus and fat (lemon + butter/olive oil) sharpen the flavor and keep the color vivid.

Best Uses

quick steam then finish with butter or olive oil for intact, succulent greens
hot sauté with garlic and chili to tame bitterness and keep it juicy
blanch-and-drain for thickening or coloring sauces and braises
vinegar pickling for jewel-toned, tangy leaf bites

Flavor Profile

earthy and slightly sweet tender, spoonable leaves with a velvety bite a wine-burgundy, spinach-like vegetal character

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lemon juice olive oil butter black pepper goat cheese

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Burgundy Amaranth leaves turning yellow or developing dark spots, and what should I do?

A common issue is fungal leaf spot or downy mildew, which shows up as spotting that spreads across leaves in humid weather. Remove and discard badly affected leaves, improve airflow by spacing plants, and water at the soil line (not overhead). If the problem keeps spreading, spray an approved garden fungicide labeled for edible greens according to the label directions.

How often should I water Burgundy Amaranth during the main growing phase?

During active growth, keep the top 1 inch of soil consistently moist but not soggy—typically about 1 inch of water per week depending on heat and rainfall. Water deeply when the surface starts to dry, and avoid frequent light sprinkles that keep roots shallow. If you can squeeze soil into a loose ball that crumbles when poked, you’re in the right moisture range.

How can I tell when Burgundy Amaranth is ready to harvest?

Harvest leaves starting around 45–60 days, when plants have sturdy stems and sizable leaves; for best flavor, pick outer leaves first. For grain/seed heads, let them mature to full color and dry on the plant over the remaining time to about 70 days—heads should feel dry and seeds should release easily when rubbed. For maximum tenderness, harvest in the morning and avoid waiting until leaves are tough and overly mature.