Green Tails

Family: Amaranthaceae Flower

Drape your garden in Green Tails’ cascading, plume-like amaranth—softly luminous green that catches the light like fresh foliage.

At maturity, the feathery, tailing inflorescences hold their shape with a velvety texture, making them as striking in the landscape as they are in arrangements. Grow Green Tails for bold, long-lasting ornamental color that brings instant vertical drama to beds, borders, and sunny containers.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Upright

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Apr 4th
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)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	45
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Even though it’s marketed as ornamental, this amaranth tail crop eats like tender greens: cook fast and keep it glossy—overheat it and it goes dull. Use it in applications where the “velvet” texture can show, like a quick sauté or a warm wilt that clings to acid and fat.

Best Uses

torn-leaf salad or warm wilted greens—treat like delicate amaranth foliage
briefly sautéed with garlic and butter for a spoonable, herb-like side
steam-and-blend into a vivid green purée for dumpling filling

Flavor Profile

tender, slightly grassy pea-green flavor gentle nuttiness with a soft, velvety mouthfeel earthy finish like cooked spinach stems

Kitchen Pairings

garlic butter lemon juice toasted sesame feta cheese chicken or eggs

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Amaranthus caudatus (green tails) and how do I control it?

Watch for aphids and leaf-chewing caterpillars, which often show up as curled leaves or stippled feeding on the tender growth. Rinse aphids off with a strong spray of water and remove heavily infested tips; for caterpillars, pick them off early and use an insecticidal soap or a BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray labeled for caterpillars. Keep plants spaced for airflow because dense, wet foliage increases the chance of leaf spot.

How often should I water Amaranthus caudatus during peak growth?

During the main growth period, keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, split into 2–3 waterings in hot weather. Water when the top 1 inch (2.5 cm) of soil feels dry, and avoid frequent light sprinkling that encourages shallow rooting and stress. Consistent moisture helps maintain the long, tail-like flower/seed heads.

How can I tell when Amaranthus caudatus (green tails) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the tail-like plumes are fully formed and the bracts/seed heads look mature—often around 70 days from sowing—and the stems feel sturdy rather than soft. For edible “greens,” cut tender leaves while they’re young; for seed heads, wait until the plumes are dry enough to crumble lightly and then cut the whole stems. Dry any harvested seed heads quickly in a warm, airy spot to prevent mold.