Red Garnet

Family: Amaranthaceae Vegetable

Velvety, jewel-toned berry clusters—deep garnet-red to wine-purple—rise with a dramatic, candlelike presence, offering a rich, earthy sweetness and a pleasantly chewy bite.

Red Garnet’s dense, upright plumes develop quickly (about 35 days), with seeds that finish in a crisp, dry texture ideal for pantry use and a bold color that stays vibrant. Grow it for striking ornamental impact and for amaranth seed harvests that deliver a hearty, nutty character in grain-style preparations and colorful mixes.

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)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Red Garnet amaranth leans earthy and berry-sweet, and it earns its keep with a chewy mouthfeel that won’t fall apart when simmered or folded into warm grains. The seeds finish dry and crisp when handled right, so they toast up with a hearty, nutty snap that plays beautifully with fatty proteins and bright citrus.

Best Uses

cook the seed like a nutty, rice-style grain for bowl dinners
toast seeds for crunchy salad topping and granola-style mixes
use the dense, velvety berry clusters as a jammy spooning compote
fold into pilafs or colorful grain salads where the color needs to stay loud

Flavor Profile

earthy, berry-sweet richness nutty, grain-like savoriness pleasantly chewy, candlelike texture dry-crisp seed bite when fully finished

Kitchen Pairings

butter lime garlic black pepper feta pork

Frequently Asked Questions

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

A common problem is aphids, which cluster on tender growth and can stunt plants; check the undersides of leaves and new tips every few days. Spray plants with a strong jet of water to knock aphids off, then repeat; if infestations persist, use an insecticidal soap, coating leaves thoroughly (especially undersides) and avoid spraying during hot midday sun. Keep airflow high by thinning to recommended spacing to reduce leaf-drying conditions that can worsen other issues.

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

During the active leaf/flowering growth phase, keep soil consistently evenly moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, split into 1–2 deeper waterings depending on weather. Water when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry, and water at the soil line to limit leaf wetness and stress. In containers, check moisture daily because Amaranthus cruentus dries out faster than beds.

How do I tell when to harvest Red Garnet amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus)?

Harvest after about 35 days, when plants are well-leafed and the outer leaves are large enough for eating, usually starting around the first month. For leaf harvest, pick outer leaves first and continue harvesting every 2–3 days to keep plants producing; stop when regrowth slows. If you’re harvesting for grain/seed, wait until the flower heads darken and the seeds look firm in the head, then cut and dry the heads indoors to fully finish drying before removing seeds.