Hopi Red Dye

Family: Amaranthaceae Vegetable

Warm, velvety crimson plumes rise with a painter’s intensity—Hopi Red Dye amaranth is prized for its richly saturated red pigment and its tender, pleasantly earthy flavor.

The foliage and young leaves offer a soft, succulent texture, while the mature seed heads develop a dramatic, velour-like density that’s as striking in the garden as it is in the jar. Grow it for bold color in the landscape and for home use where deep red dye is the goal—an heirloom-minded variety with unmistakable presence.

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

Hopi Red Dye amaranth has the kind of mellow earthiness and soft succulence that cooks down fast without turning bitter. Because the pigment reads vivid crimson even after thermal handling, it’s a rare green where the flavor and the color show up together on the plate.

Best Uses

quick-sautéed leaf greens with garlic and olive oil
stewed or braised greens until melting-tender
use the mature, dense seed heads for red-pigmented infusions or thickening
homemade crimson “dye” application in foods where pigment matters

Flavor Profile

earthy, pleasantly vegetal tender and succulent leaves warm, grain-like savoriness in mature heads velvety mouthfeel when cooked

Kitchen Pairings

garlic olive oil lime juice chile onion goat cheese

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most often affects Amaranthus cruentus (Hopi Red Dye), and how can I control it?

A common problem is leaf-chewing caterpillars (like armyworms/cutworms), which can strip foliage quickly. Hand-pick in the evening and use an organic spray such as Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) targeted at caterpillars; reapply as the label directs. If you see damping-off in seedlings or stem base rot, remove affected plants and avoid overwatering, since Amaranthus cruentus is especially sensitive to soggy soil at the start.

How often should I water Amaranthus cruentus during its main growing phase?

During active growth, keep the top 1–2 inches of soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—water deeply about 2–3 times per week depending on heat and soil texture. Let the surface dry slightly between waterings to prevent stress and reduce rot risk. Mulch helps stabilize moisture, but ensure the soil drains well because Amaranthus cruentus won’t thrive in persistently wet ground.

How do I know when Hopi Red Dye (Amaranthus cruentus) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when plants reach about 70 days and the flower/seed heads are fully developed and turning from green to their mature red-brown/bronze tones. The leaves are usually best earlier, but for dye use, harvest the mature foliage and/or heads when coloration is strong. If you’re harvesting for seed, wait until the seed heads are dry and you can easily release small black seeds.