Miriah

Family: Amaranthaceae Vegetable

Miriah amaranth arrives in a blaze of velvety, wine-red plumes that seem to glow even in late-day light.

The foliage is tender and richly flavored, with a pleasantly peppery warmth that brings depth to greens—especially when used fresh for salads or gently sautéed, and also beautifully suited to vibrant sauces and quick pickles. At about 35 days to maturity, it’s a fast, rewarding warm-season crop that keeps producing with a lush, upright presence in the garden.

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)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Miriah’s tender, pepper-leaning amaranth makes a great stand-in for peppery greens that won’t turn bitter—especially when you wilt it fast so it keeps that silky bite. The wine-red tone loves acid: think lime or quick-pickle brine to wake up the warmth without muting the velvety texture.

Best Uses

fresh salads where it can act like a peppery leaf—thinly chopped so it doesn’t steam up
quick sauté or wilt in hot fat just until glossy, not mushy
bright quick pickles (leaf or young shoots) for tangy crunch
swirl into herb-forward sauces for color and a slow-building peppery finish

Flavor Profile

velvety, greens-like earthiness peppery warmth with a gentle wine-red tang tender leaves that stay silky when lightly cooked

Kitchen Pairings

lime chile oil goat cheese black beans olive oil red onion

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Amaranthus cruentus, and how do I control it?

Watch for aphids and flea beetles on young Amaranthus cruentus, which can stunt growth and leave stippled leaves. Spray plants with a strong jet of water to knock off aphids and use insecticidal soap for heavy infestations; for flea beetles, cover seedlings with row cover until plants are established. If you see gray mold or leaf spots in damp weather, improve airflow by thinning to recommended spacing and water at the soil line rather than overhead.

How often should I water Amaranthus cruentus during its main growth period?

During the active growing phase (roughly weeks 2–5), keep the top 1 inch of soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. In typical home gardens, that usually means watering 1–2 times per week, increasing to more frequent watering during hot, windy spells. Aim for deep watering that wets the root zone, and pause watering if the soil stays soggy or plants show yellowing.

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

For leafy harvest, start picking when leaves are tender and about 6–10 inches tall (often around 30–35 days), taking outer leaves first and leaving the growing point. If you’re harvesting for grain (more relevant in some plantings), wait until the seed heads turn fully mature and dry on the plant before cutting. Harvesting regularly for greens encourages continued leaf production for Amaranthus cruentus.