Dreadlocks Amaranth

Family: Amaranthaceae Vegetable

Experience Dreadlocks Amaranth for its dramatic, velvety plumes that spill like dark tresses—an arresting sensory feast of deep, earthy greens with a subtly sweet, nutty finish.

At maturity, the tender foliage and richly colored flower heads offer a lush, succulent texture that shines when gathered young for bold, flavorful greens and vibrant color in sauces and pickled preparations. Grow it for a garden showpiece that rewards with abundant, harvest-ready growth in about 70 days.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Dreadlocks 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	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Harvest the dreadlocks young: the foliage stays tender and gives you that grassy-earthy snap with a faint nutty sweetness that holds up to heat and brine. The richly colored heads make sauces and pickles look dramatic without turning bitter—just don’t wait too long or they get fibrous.

Best Uses

young leaves as peppery greens in quick sauté or wilted salad
pickling the tender tops/heads for briny, dark color and crunch
pureeing into a vivid green sauce or pesto-style swirl
stirring chopped greens into soups/stews for color that doesn’t disappear

Flavor Profile

deep earthy green notes subtly sweet, nutty finish tender, succulent foliage texture velvety, lightly grassy flower-plume bite

Kitchen Pairings

lemon garlic goat cheese olive oil chili flakes white vinegar

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest problem most often affects Amaranthus cruentus (dreadlocks amaranth), and how can I control it?

Watch for aphids and flea beetles, which can stunt young Amaranthus cruentus and create leaf holes or curling. Spray affected plants with a strong jet of water first, then use insecticidal soap or neem labeled for edible plants, repeating every 5–7 days while infestations are active. Keep weeds down around the bed to reduce breeding habitat and avoid over-fertilizing with high nitrogen.

How much water does Amaranthus cruentus need during its main growing phase?

During the 30–60 days of active leaf growth, keep the soil consistently evenly moist but not soggy—aim for top 1–2 inches to dry slightly between waterings. In full sun, that often means watering about 2–3 times per week, depending on soil type; sandy soils dry faster and may need more frequent watering. Use mulch to reduce evaporation so moisture stays steady, which helps prevent slow growth and tough leaves.

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

Harvest when plants are about 60–70 days after sowing and the tender leaves are the size you want, with stems that snap easily rather than bend. For the best flavor, pick outer leaves first in the morning, before the heat and before flowering stems fully harden. If you’re harvesting “dreadlocks” seed heads, wait until the plumes are fully developed and darkening, then cut for drying soon after.