Pusa Lal Chaulai

Family: Amaranthaceae Leafy Green

Tender, velvety leaves unfurl in a vivid tapestry of warm crimson and deep emerald, with a mild, spinach-like sweetness and a gentle, leafy snap.

Pusa Lal Chaulai matures in about 40 days, producing abundant foliage that stays pleasantly tender for fresh use and quick sauté-style preparations, as well as comforting stews and silky purées. Grow it for its striking color as much as its flavor—each harvest feels like a garden bouquet you can bring to the table in abundance.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 40 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Pusa Lal Chaulai

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	Jun 4th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	40
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

Pusa Lal Chaulai’s tender, velvety leaves cook down fast—think greens that collapse into a silky, spoon-coating texture without turning stringy. It’s mild and sweet like spinach, so it plays best with punchy aromatics and creamy finishes (coconut, ghee) plus a sharp lime/chile snap.

Best Uses

quick sauté in a hot wok with aromatics
stews where the greens collapse into a silky body
purées blended with garlic/ginger and finished with fat for a spoonable consistency
soups/curries where the leaves go from bright to dark and tender

Flavor Profile

mild, spinach-like sweetness tender, velvety leaf texture gentle leafy snap with a slightly earthy bite

Kitchen Pairings

coconut milk garlic ginger lime chile butter/ghee

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I manage damping-off or leaf spots on Amaranthus tricolor (Pusa Lal Chaulai)?

Damping-off is most likely when seedlings are kept too wet; sow in a well-drained seedbed and avoid watering the foliage. If you see wilting at soil level, remove affected seedlings and keep the soil lightly moist but not soggy. For leaf spots, water at the base early in the day, improve airflow by thinning plants to about 15–20 cm, and discard heavily spotted leaves to slow spread.

How often should I water Pusa Lal Chaulai during its main growing phase?

During the 3–5 week growing phase, keep the top 2–3 cm of soil consistently moist, not waterlogged—about 2–3 times per week in warm weather depending on rainfall. After plants establish, water deeply so moisture reaches the root zone, then let the surface begin to dry slightly before the next watering. Avoid frequent light sprinkling that keeps the leaf surfaces wet and increases leaf-spot risk.

When is Pusa Lal Chaulai ready to harvest?

Harvest at around 35–45 days after sowing when plants have tender, marketable leaves and the stems are still soft. For best tenderness, pick leaves regularly as soon as they reach usable size, before leaves get tough or start showing early flowering. If you want whole plants, cut them when they are fully leafy but still before significant bolting.