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How to Grow Amaranth Burgundy Inca Red

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Amaranth Burgundy Inca Red

Amaranthus caudatus

vegetable

Amaranth Burgundy Inca Red is a striking grain amaranth variety prized for its deep burgundy-red foliage and drooping flower panicles that produce thousands of tiny seeds. The entire plant—leaves, stems, and seed heads—displays rich red pigmentation, making it as ornamental as it is productive. Both the nutritious leaves and seeds are edible, offering complete protein and essential minerals.

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Example Amaranth Burgundy Inca Red timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Amaranth Burgundy Inca Red

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Amaranth Burgundy Inca Red

    Around Jun 26

    ≈ 70 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Amaranth Burgundy Inca Red dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum; prefers 8+ hours for optimal growth and color development
💧
Water: Moderate; water deeply once or twice weekly depending on rainfall and heat. Drought-tolerant once established but produces better yields with consistent moisture. Avoid overwatering, which can cause fungal issues.
📏
Spacing: 9-12 inches apart; thin seedlings to this distance after sprouting inches
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Days to maturity: 70-100 days (leaf harvest begins earlier; seed maturity at 90-100 days)
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Planting depth: 1/4 to 1/2 inch; surface-sow and lightly rake in or press into soil

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy to sandy soil; tolerates poor soil better than most crops
pH: 6.0-7.5
Amendments:
Compost or aged manure for organic matter Balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) at midseason if soil is depleted Sand if soil is heavy clay

Growing Zones

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Grows vigorously in zones 3-11; best production in warm zones 5-10 with hot summers

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

1-2 weeks

Tiny leaves emerge with pale reddish tints; plants are 2-4 inches tall with 2-4 true leaves visible.

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Thin seedlings to proper spacing at this stage. Protect from strong winds.

2

Vegetative

3-4 weeks

Rapid growth phase; burgundy-red foliage becomes pronounced, stems thicken and deepen in color, plant reaches 12-24 inches tall.

Begin leaf harvesting from outer stems. Water regularly and apply balanced fertilizer if needed. Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

3

Flowering & Seed Head Development

2-3 weeks

Dramatic drooping panicles (seed heads) emerge from top of plant, 6-12 inches long, deep burgundy-red in color. Plant reaches 3-4 feet tall.

Reduce nitrogen to encourage seed production over excessive leaf growth. Continue moderate watering. Support tall plants in windy areas if needed.

4

Seed Maturation

2-3 weeks

Panicles deepen to dark burgundy-red, seed heads become heavy and droop more pronouncedly. Seeds harden and lose moisture content.

Reduce watering slightly to encourage seed drying. Watch for birds; use netting if protecting seed crop. Refrain from harvesting until seeds are fully mature.

5

Harvest Ready

At maturity

Seed heads are fully mature with dark burgundy coloring and easily detached seeds. Leaves may yellow slightly. Plant is 4-5 feet tall.

Cut entire seed heads or strip seeds directly. Dry thoroughly (2-3 weeks) before storing. Can harvest leaves anytime during growing season.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Corn Beans Squash Cucumber Melon Basil Marigold Nasturtium

Avoid planting near:

Spinach Beets Other amaranth varieties (to prevent cross-pollination/hybridization)

Common Pests

  • Use row covers on young plants, apply neem oil or insecticidal soap; encourage beneficial predators like ladybugs

  • Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage natural predators

  • Increase humidity, spray with water, apply neem oil; severe infestations may require miticide

  • Hand-pick if few; use row covers early; insecticidal soap or neem oil if populations increase

  • and

    Remove debris and hiding spots; use copper tape or barriers; handpick at dawn; slug baits if necessary

Uses

🍳

Nutritious Grain Staple

Culinary

Amaranth seeds are cooked like grains (similar to quinoa), popped like popcorn, or ground into flour. They provide a complete protein with all nine essential amino acids and are naturally gluten-free. The burgundy variety adds visual appeal to grain bowls, porridges, and baked goods. [source]

🍳

Leafy Greens

Culinary

Young leaves are tender and mild, similar to spinach or chard, and can be eaten raw in salads or cooked. The burgundy variety's colorful leaves add nutrition and striking visual contrast to dishes. [source]

💊

Mineral-Rich Superfood

Medicinal

High in manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, and iron—all crucial for bone health, energy production, and oxygen transport. Traditional medicine has used amaranth for blood purification and digestive support. [source]

🌿

Striking Garden Display

Ornamental

The deep burgundy foliage and drooping red panicles make Burgundy Inca Red a showstopper in garden beds, borders, and containers. Beautiful as cut flowers or dried arrangements. [source]

🦋

Bird Food Source

Wildlife

Seed panicles attract and feed songbirds, beneficial insects, and other wildlife. Leaving mature seed heads in the garden supports biodiversity. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Leaves can be harvested continuously once the plant is 12 inches tall—pinch or cut outer leaves to encourage bushiness and continued production. For seed harvest, wait until seed panicles are fully mature (deep burgundy, seeds release easily when rubbed), typically 90-100 days after planting. Cut entire panicles with 6-8 inches of stem, tie in bundles, and hang upside down in a dry, airy location for 2-3 weeks. Once completely dry, rub panicles together over a cloth to release seeds; screen out chaff and store in a cool, dry place.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Amaranth was a sacred crop of the Aztecs and Incas, who prized it for its nutritional completeness and used it in religious ceremonies; the 'Inca Red' in the variety name honors this heritage.
  • 🌱 Amaranth is one of the few plant-based complete proteins, containing all nine essential amino acids in a ratio surprisingly similar to milk—making it especially valuable for vegetarian and vegan diets.
  • 🌱 Amaranth can produce up to 60,000 seeds per plant; a single mature plant can provide enough seeds to replant next year's crop with surplus for culinary use.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Full Sun Mulch pH True Leaves
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