Green Calaloo

Family: Amaranthaceae Leafy Green

Tender, velvety leaves unfurl in a lush cascade of green—so fresh and vividly colored they practically glow in the garden.

Green Calaloo delivers a gentle, spinach-like flavor with a pleasantly succulent bite, ideal for quick, flavorful stir-ins, savory sauces, and hearty pot dishes, as well as bright pickling-style preparations. Fast to mature at about 35 days, it’s a reliable favorite for gardeners who want abundant, tender harvests from a compact, vigorous plant.

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)	40
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Green Calaloos tenderness wilts fast into a creamy, spoonable green without turning fibrousideal when you want flavor that disappears into the dish instead of dominating it. Treat it like quick spinach: hot pan or simmer briefly, then finish with lime or chili to sharpen the leafs mild sweetness.

Best Uses

fast stir-ins with garlic and chili so the leaves stay velvety, not mushy
savory braises or pot dishes where the greens wilt down into a thick, spoonable side
bright pickling-style preparations (tender leaves keep a pleasant bite)
blended into silky sauces or soups for a grassy-green body

Flavor Profile

gentle spinach-like earthiness succulent, tender leaf texture mild vegetal sweetness quick-cooking, slightly mineral finish

Kitchen Pairings

garlic chile coconut milk lime smoked fish soy sauce

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Amaranthus viridis (green calaloo) leaves getting holes or sticky patches, and what’s the best fix?

Holes with chewed edges are often from caterpillars (leafworms) while sticky leaves can indicate aphids. Hand-pick visible caterpillars early in the morning, then spray affected plants with insecticidal soap or neem oil, covering the undersides of leaves. Repeat every 5–7 days until you stop seeing new damage.

How often should I water Amaranthus viridis during the main growth phase, and what soil moisture level should I maintain?

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged from sprouting through rapid leaf growth, typically about 1 inch (2–3 cm) of water per week depending on heat and rainfall. Water deeply when the top 1 inch of soil dries out, because fluctuating wet/dry conditions can slow leaf production. Mulch lightly to reduce evaporation, especially in full sun.

How can I tell when Amaranthus viridis is ready to harvest?

Start harvesting at about 25–35 days when plants have lots of tender young leaves and stems, and before leaves get thick and tough. Pick outer leaves first (or cut the top for a flush), aiming for leaf stems that snap easily. Harvest regularly to trigger continued new growth up to maturity.