How to Grow Love-Lies-Bleeding

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Love-Lies-Bleeding

Amaranthus caudatus

flower

Love-Lies-Bleeding is an ornamental amaranth with distinctive long, drooping crimson or deep red flower spikes that resemble velvet ropes cascading downward. This tender annual grows 3-4 feet tall and produces abundant, grain-like seeds that are also edible. It's prized in cut flower arrangements and dried flower displays for its dramatic, long-lasting blooms.

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Example Love-Lies-Bleeding timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Love-Lies-Bleeding
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
First Love-Lies-Bleeding blooms
Around Jun 16

≈ 60 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Love-Lies-Bleeding dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; can tolerate partial shade but blooms are more prolific in full sun

💧

Water: Moderate; water regularly to keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Drought-tolerant once established but produces better blooms with consistent watering. Reduce watering in cooler seasons.

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Spacing: 12 inches

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Days to maturity: 60-90 days from seed to flowering

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Planting depth: 1/4 inch; direct sow after last frost or start indoors 6-8 weeks before planting out

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy to sandy soil; tolerates poor soil but performs best in moderately fertile conditions

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

Compost Peat moss or coconut coir Perlite for drainage

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Annual grown throughout the U.S.; thrives in warm-season gardens in zones 3-11, preferring zones 6-10

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

Seedling

1-2 weeks

Tiny seedlings with 2-4 cotyledons and first true leaves emerge; very delicate appearance

Keep soil moist but not soggy; provide bright light indoors; thin seedlings to prevent crowding; maintain temperature around 70-75°F

Vegetative

3-4 weeks

Plant develops multiple broad, lance-shaped leaves in alternate arrangement; stem thickens and grows 12-24 inches tall

Water regularly; apply balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks; pinch back growing tips if bushier growth is desired; harden off transplants gradually before planting outdoors

Flowering Initiation

1-2 weeks

Terminal flower spikes begin forming at the top of the plant; spike elongates downward in cascading strands

Maintain consistent moisture; switch to lower nitrogen fertilizer (higher phosphorus/potassium) to encourage blooming; remove side buds if focusing on one central spike

Flowering

4-8 weeks or until frost

Long, drooping crimson, red, or burgundy flower spikes develop fully, often 6-12 inches in length; flowers remain showy for weeks

Deadhead faded lower flowers if maintaining fresh appearance; water consistently; stake tall varieties if windy; fertilize monthly for continuous blooming

Seed Development & Harvest

2-3 weeks or until first frost

Flowers fade and dry; tiny seeds develop along the spike; entire inflorescence dries and hardens

Allow flower spikes to dry naturally on plant if harvesting seeds; cut entire spike and dry indoors for dried arrangements; do not deadhead if seed collection is the goal

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Zinnias Celosia Sunflowers Cosmos Marigolds Dahlias Basil Tomatoes

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Brassicas in excessive quantity

Common Pests

Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil; increase humidity; prune heavily infested leaves
Use row covers early; apply kaolin clay spray; neem oil; remove debris where beetles overwinter
Vacuum off with portable vacuum; yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap; reflective mulch; neem oil
Strong water spray; insecticidal soap; neem oil; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs
Hand-pick beetles; apply spinosad; neem oil; encourage natural predators

Uses

🍳

Nutritious Grain & Seeds

Culinary

Amaranth seeds are gluten-free, protein-rich (15-18% protein), and packed with amino acids including lysine. The seeds can be popped like popcorn, ground into flour, or cooked as a grain side dish. [source]

🍳

Edible Leaves

Culinary

Young amaranth leaves are edible with a mild, slightly earthy flavor similar to spinach. They can be steamed, sautéed, or eaten raw in salads and are rich in iron, calcium, and vitamins A and C. [source]

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Cut & Dried Flowers

Household

Long-lasting drooping flower spikes are exceptional for fresh floral arrangements and dry beautifully for permanent displays. The velvety texture and dramatic color retain their appearance for months when properly dried. [source]

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Traditional Herbal Remedy

Medicinal

Amaranth has been used in traditional medicine to support digestive health and reduce inflammation. The leaves contain compounds with potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. [source]

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Bird Food & Garden Habitat

Wildlife

Seeds left on the plant provide food for birds and beneficial insects throughout fall and winter. The tall plant structure creates shelter and nesting habitat for garden visitors. [source]

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

Harvest Tips

For fresh cutting: harvest spikes in the morning when flowers are fully developed; cut above leaf nodes to encourage side shoots. For dried flowers: allow spikes to fully dry on the plant (typically 3-4 weeks after flowering peaks), then cut and hang upside down in a dry, airy location for 1-2 weeks. Seeds mature 2-3 weeks after flowers fade; cut entire spike, dry completely, then shake seeds into a paper bag. Harvest seeds before hard frosts for best viability.

Fun Facts

🌱 Amaranth was a staple crop of the Aztecs, who valued it for both nutrition and ceremonial purposes; it was nearly lost when Spanish conquistadors banned its cultivation but has experienced a major global resurgence as a superfood.
🌱 The long drooping inflorescences can grow 6-12 inches or longer and produce thousands of tiny seeds from a single plant; one plant can yield up to 250,000 seeds.
🌱 Love-Lies-Bleeding earned its romantic common name from the appearance of the drooping crimson spikes resembling tears of blood; it's been a popular ornamental since Victorian times.

Gardening Terms

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

Annual Deadhead Full Sun Partial Shade pH Pinch Back Transplant True Leaves

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