Red Tails

Family: Amaranthaceae Vegetable

Velvety, deep garnet-red roots—nearly black at the crown—rise with a dramatic, sculptural presence and a sweet, earthy flavor that feels both tender and richly grounded.

At maturity (about 55 days), Red Tails forms smooth, tapered roots with a fine-grained bite, ideal for roasting until caramel-kissed at the edges and for turning into vibrant, spoonable purées and hearty sauces. Grow this striking amaranth for a harvest that’s as beautiful on the plate as it is satisfying in the garden.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 55 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	Jun 19th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
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

Red Tails amaranth has a refined, fine-grained bite that turns creamy at the edges when roasted—no need for heavy sauces to make it feel luxurious. Cook it down into a glossy purée or reduction and finish with lemon and black pepper to keep the sweetness from tipping flat.

Best Uses

roast until the tips color and the flesh turns custardy
steam-and-mash for a spoonable, silky purée
use as the base for a hearty, thick sauce (reduce with stock until glossy)
grate raw for a crisp, lightly sweet accent with a gritty-smooth texture

Flavor Profile

sweet, earthy root-sugar flavor fine-grained, tender bite roasty caramel edges with a deep garnet tone

Kitchen Pairings

goat cheese garlic butter thyme lemon black pepper

Frequently Asked Questions

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

A frequent issue is leaf-feeding caterpillars (including small armyworm/armyworm-like larvae), which chew holes in leaves. Hand-pick visible larvae early, then spray the undersides with an insecticidal soap or Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and repeat every 5–7 days until activity stops. Keep plants spaced and remove heavily damaged leaves to reduce spots and decay that can follow leaf damage.

How often should I water Red Tails (Amaranthus cruentus) during its main growing phase?

During active growth (roughly weeks 3–6), keep the soil consistently evenly moist but not soggy—aim for the top 1 inch to stay slightly damp. Water deeply about 1–2 times per week, increasing to more often during hot, dry spells, and reduce watering if the soil stays wet or plants show yellowing from overly wet roots. Mulch lightly to prevent surface crusting, which can slow establishment.

How do I know when Red Tails (Amaranthus cruentus) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when plants reach about 50–60 days and the leaves are fully sized but still tender, typically before the plant becomes woody. Pick outer leaves first for continual harvest, or harvest entire plants at maturity when leaves are lush and the stems are still flexible. If leaves start to look tough or overly thick, pick immediately to maintain texture.