Chinese Giant Orange

Family: Amaranthaceae Vegetable

Sink your senses into Chinese Giant Orange’s luminous, sunset-bright plumes—an amaranth that glows in the garden with warm orange-gold drama.

At maturity, the tender leaves offer a pleasantly earthy, mild bite with a succulent, velvety texture, while the abundant flower heads deliver a rich, grainy depth beloved for colorful, showy preparations. Grow it for bold harvests of both foliage and striking inflorescences, ideal for vibrant sauces, roasting-style flavoring, and festive pickling accents that keep their golden character.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Chinese Giant Orange

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 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Chinese Giant Orange leans mild and tender in the leaves, but the flower heads bring a distinct toasted, grainy character—think somewhere between cereal and nut. Use the leaves like delicate greens, and treat the inflorescences like a crunchy, savory garnish that stays bright under acid and heat.

Best Uses

quick sauté or steam-and-serve greens with a glossy finish
roast the flower heads for a toasted, cereal-like crunch in salads
blend into warm, golden-green sauces or thickened purées
pickled inflorescences for festive, tangy pops of orange-gold

Flavor Profile

earthy, mild bite succulent, velvety leaves noticeably grainy, nutty flower-head flavor

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lemon olive oil coconut milk black pepper tahini

Frequently Asked Questions

What pests or diseases commonly affect Amaranthus cruentus (Chinese Giant Orange), and how can I control them?

Watch for aphids and leaf-chewing caterpillars, which can quickly reduce leaf quality on amaranth. Spray an insecticidal soap for aphids and use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) on early caterpillar feeding, repeating as label directions require. If you see leaf spots that worsen in humid weather, thin plants for airflow and avoid wetting the foliage when watering.

How often should I water Chinese Giant Orange during the main growing phase?

During active growth (roughly weeks 4–10), keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy—aim for top 1 inch to dry slightly between waterings. Water deeply to wet the root zone, especially during hot, full-sun weather, because Amaranthus cruentus will slow growth when it repeatedly dries out. Consistent moisture helps prevent stress-related leaf yellowing.

How do I know when Amaranthus cruentus is ready to harvest?

Harvest when plants reach about 90 days from sowing (your maturity window), and the leaves are at their largest and most tender. For leaf harvest, pick outer leaves first; if stems have begun to toughen, focus on younger leaves higher on the plant. If growing for seed heads, harvest when the flowering/seed structures are fully formed and dry, with seeds turning dull and easily shaken loose.