White Leaf Amaranth

Family: Amaranthaceae Leafy Green

Tender, vividly fresh leaves emerge in a soft, pale green—an airy “white-leaf” look that feels luminous in the garden and turns silky when cooked.

White Leaf Amaranth (Callaloo) builds a quick, upright clump in about 40 days, producing abundant foliage with a mild, grassy sweetness and a delicate, spoonable texture. Grow it for leafy sautés, savory pot dishes, and vibrant sauces—its young leaves shine when you want flavor that’s gentle yet deeply green.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 40 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of White Leaf 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)	50
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

White Leaf Amaranth (callaloo) is built for speed: its young leaves go from crisp to silky fast, giving you that gentle sweet-green flavor without getting fibrous. Use it like a tender spinach cousin—wilting it quickly in fat and finishing with lime keeps it bright and spoon-ready.

Best Uses

quick sauté with garlic and hot oil until just wilted
creamy callaloo-style pot simmer (coconut milk or dairy) where leaves collapse into a spoonable base
tossed into brothy soups for a soft, verdant finish
blended into a warm green sauce for spooning over rice or dumplings

Flavor Profile

mild, grassy sweetness green, lightly mineral taste tender leaves that turn silky and spoonable when cooked quick-cooking, delicate texture with a soft chew

Kitchen Pairings

garlic onion scallion coconut milk lime smoked fish

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Amaranthus viridis (white leaf amaranth), and how can I manage it at home?

A frequent issue is leaf spot/foliar fungal disease, which shows up as dark, irregular spots on leaves after humid weather or overhead watering. Remove and discard the worst leaves, water at the soil line, and increase airflow by spacing plants so leaves don’t stay wet overnight. If problems persist, use a labeled organic copper or potassium bicarbonate spray according to the product directions.

How often should I water Amaranthus viridis during peak leaf growth, and what soil moisture level does it need?

During the main growth phase, keep the top 1–2 in (2–5 cm) of soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply about 2–3 times per week in warm weather, more often in hot, dry spells, and reduce frequency if the soil stays wet. Aim for steady moisture because drought stress causes slower leaf production and can reduce tenderness.

How do I know when to harvest Amaranthus viridis for the best leaf quality?

Start harvesting when plants are about 6–10 inches (15–25 cm) tall, usually around 30–40 days, taking outer leaves first. Harvest in the morning when leaves are crisp, and cut stems back to just above a set of leaves to encourage new side growth. The crop is typically at its best right up to first flowering—once flowering begins, leaves can become tougher.