Headman

Family: Amaranthaceae Vegetable

Sink your senses into Headman’s velvet, deep-green foliage and the softly luminous seedheads that rise like torchlight above the garden.

The leaves offer a tender, succulent bite with a pleasantly earthy, slightly sweet character, while the mature grains develop a hearty, nutty depth. Grow Headman for abundant harvests that shine in fresh salads, vibrant sautés, and hearty grain bowls—plus a bold, nutritious addition for homemade blends and pickling brines.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 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	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	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Headman’s deep-green foliage eats tender and juicy, with an earth-sweet edge that doesn’t collapse under quick heat. When you let it run to grain, the nutty, chewy amaranth turns hearty—ideal for bowls and brines where texture matters.

Best Uses

quick sautéed greens with garlic and a splash of acid to brighten the earth
torn-leaf salads dressed lightly so the leaves stay velvety, not soggy
grain-and-greens bowls where the amaranth adds a chewy, nutty bite
thickening grain blends or folding into pickling brines for body

Flavor Profile

tender, succulent leaves with a softly sweet earthiness nutty, hearty grain character (when mature) green, slightly mineral finish that holds up to heat

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lemon olive oil black beans butter feta

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Amaranthus cruentus (Headman), and how can I control it?

A common issue on amaranth is leaf spot (often from warm, humid conditions), which shows up as small dark spots that spread and can cause leaf yellowing. Water at the soil line, avoid wetting leaves, and remove badly spotted leaves early to slow spread. If it keeps progressing, use an appropriate labeled fungicide for leafy vegetables and repeat according to the label.

How often should I water Amaranthus cruentus during its main growing phase (around weeks 3–10)?

Keep the top 1–2 inches of soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, since Amaranthus cruentus forms quickly and suffers if it dries out. In typical conditions this is often about 1 inch of water per week, adjusted so the soil never dries to dust between waterings. During hot spells, you may need to water 2–3 times per week, checking moisture before watering again.

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

Harvest when plants reach about 70 days from sowing and the seed heads look fully developed and begin to lighten in color. For edible leaves, pick outer leaves regularly once plants are large enough; stop leaf harvest once flowering and head formation are well underway. If harvesting for grain, cut heads when seeds are firm and the head bracts start to dry, then dry the heads further before threshing.