Gita

Family: Amaranthaceae Leafy Green

Sink your senses into Gita callaloo’s lush, tender leaves—softly succulent with a vivid, earthy-green sweetness that feels alive from the first harvest.

The foliage forms an upright, quickly filling clump, delivering a steady supply of tender greens with a smooth, velvety texture that shines in vibrant dishes. Grow Gita for bold, everyday greens that are as rewarding to tend as they are satisfying to serve.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 35 DaysHabit: Upright

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	May 30th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	35
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)	50
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Gita callaloo’s tenderness is the point—cook it fast and keep it glossy, because overcooking turns that velvety thing into dull, fibrous fatigue. It loves fat for silk (coconut or butter) and acid for lift (lime), making it ideal for lively stews and quick skillet greens.

Best Uses

quick-sautéed greens with garlic and a splash of acidic liquid
stewed callaloo-style with coconut milk for silky body
wilt-and-season side dish that holds texture without turning mushy
blanched and tossed with a punchy vinaigrette while still glossy

Flavor Profile

vivid earthy-green sweetness softly succulent, velvety leaves gentle grassy bitterness that rounds out when cooked

Kitchen Pairings

garlic coconut milk lime juice chili smoked mackerel butter

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Amaranthus hybridus (gita), and how can I manage it at home?

A common issue is leaf spots caused by fungal pathogens, especially when foliage stays wet. Water the plants at the soil line, improve airflow by spacing seedlings, and remove badly spotted leaves early. If spots spread, treat with a copper-based fungicide labeled for edible amaranth and follow the label’s timing, since gita is harvested quickly (about 35 days).

How often should I water gita (Amaranthus hybridus) during its main growing phase?

During active leaf growth, keep the top 1 inch of soil evenly moist but not soggy—typically this means watering about 2–3 times per week in warm weather, adjusting for rainfall and container size. Avoid letting the soil dry out completely, which can slow leaf expansion, and don’t leave standing water, which encourages root stress and disease.

How do I know when gita (Amaranthus hybridus) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when plants are about 8–12 inches tall and leaves are tender, usually around 30–35 days from sowing. Pick the outer leaves first (or cut the top for a second flush), and harvest before the plant bolts and forms heavy, mature seed heads, which makes leaves tougher.