Mira

Family: Amaranthaceae Vegetable

Silky, warm-gold plumes rise above the garden like living candles, and Mira’s grain develops with a rich, nutty depth that feels both hearty and refined.

The seeds form in tight, upright panicles, delivering a satisfying, fine-grained texture prized for grinding into flour and for spoonable grain bowls. A cool-season favorite with a steady, dependable rhythm to maturity, Mira rewards attentive growers with abundant harvest potential and a striking, ornamental presence.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 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 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
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)	50
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Mira grain cooks up with a restrained, nutty bite—sturdy enough to stand in a spoon bowl, but fine enough to grind into flour for tender, non-wheat bakes. Toast first, then treat it like a broth sponge: it thickens without turning starchy, making it ideal for clean, savory finishes.

Best Uses

grind into flour for tender flatbreads and pancakes
cook like risotto-grain in stock for spoonable bowls
lightly toast seeds then simmer into breakfast porridge
use as a thickener for soups or braises to add body

Flavor Profile

toasty, nutty flavor fine-grained chew pleasantly earthy, warm-gold character absorbs broth without going gluey

Kitchen Pairings

butter olive oil lemon garlic black pepper chicken broth

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common pest or disease for Amaranthus cruentus (mira), and how do I control it?

Watch for leaf-chewing caterpillars and aphids, which can rapidly distort tender leaves on Amaranthus cruentus. Rinse affected plants with a strong jet of water first, then spray insecticidal soap (especially on leaf undersides) and repeat every 5–7 days as needed. If you see leaf spots or yellowing with damp foliage, improve airflow by thinning plants and avoid wetting the leaves during watering; remove heavily affected leaves early to slow spread.

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

During the main growth period (after seedlings establish), keep soil consistently evenly moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1 inch of water per week, adjusted for heat and container size. Water deeply so moisture reaches the root zone, then let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly before the next watering. Mulch lightly can help prevent swings that lead to stressed, smaller plants.

How can I tell when Amaranthus cruentus (mira) is ready to harvest?

Harvest leaves when they’re tender and reach roughly 6–10 inches long, typically starting around day 35–60, and keep picking to encourage new growth. For grain (if you’re growing it for seed), allow seed heads to mature until they’re tan and the seeds are hard, usually around 90 days, then cut and dry the heads thoroughly before threshing. The plant should look largely finished at harvest time, with fewer green leaves and fully developed seed heads.