Red Leaf Vegetable Amaranth

Family: Amaranthaceae Leafy Green

Tender, vividly red-tinged leaves unfurl with a velvety sheen and a pleasantly grassy, slightly peppery bite.

Red Leaf Vegetable Amaranth grows quickly to a lush, upright clump in about 40 days, producing abundant foliage with a crisp-tender texture that holds its character in every bowl. Ideal for fresh salads, quick sautéing, and vibrant additions to soups and stir-ins, it also shines when wilted into sauces for a striking color lift.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 40 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Red Leaf Vegetable Amaranth

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)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Red Leaf amaranth eats like a greener, pepper-kissed cousin of spinach—tender but not mushy, with a vivid red that survives fast heat. Use it briefly (or dress it hard with acid) so the grassy edge stays bright instead of turning flat.

Best Uses

tossed raw in salads where the leaves stay crisp-tender
quick sauté or stir-fry until just wilted, keeping the red sheen
wilted into soups for color lift without muddying the broth
folded into grain bowls or omelets where it behaves like a tender spinach

Flavor Profile

pleasantly grassy bite slightly peppery finish crisp-tender, velvety leaves lightly earthy sweetness

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lemon juice olive oil yogurt goat cheese chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

What pests or diseases commonly affect Amaranthus viridis (red leaf vegetable amaranth), and how do I treat them?

Watch for aphids and leaf miner damage, which show up as curled leaves or silvery trails in leaf tissue. Rinse aphids off with a strong water jet, then spray a soap-based insecticide if they return, and remove heavily mined leaves early. Keep foliage dry (water at the soil line) to reduce leaf spot, and improve airflow by spacing plants so leaves aren’t touching.

How often should I water Amaranthus viridis during its main growing phase (about weeks 2–6)?

During active leaf growth, keep the top 1–2 inches of soil consistently moist but not soggy, especially in full sun. As a home-garden rule, water deeply about 1–2 times per week, increasing to 2–3 times per week during hot, dry weather. If leaves look limp in the morning and spring back later, that’s a sign the soil is drying too fast.

How can I tell when to harvest Amaranthus viridis?

Harvest at about 35–40 days when plants are leafy and tender, typically 8–12 inches tall (or as soon as side shoots form). Pick outer leaves first and trim to 1–2 inches above the stem so the plant keeps producing; avoid waiting until leaves are tough or the plant starts forming heavy seed heads. For best flavor, harvest in the cool part of the day.