How to Grow Chop Suey Green

Chop Suey Green

Amaranthus tricolor

vegetable

Chop Suey Green is a colorful Asian leafy vegetable with vibrant red, yellow, and green foliage that adds both nutrition and ornamental beauty to gardens and dishes. It's fast-growing, heat-loving, and commonly used in stir-fries and Asian cuisine. The tender leaves and young stems are edible and rich in vitamins and minerals.

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Example Chop Suey Green timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Chop Suey Green
Around Apr 17

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

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Chop Suey Green
Around May 27

≈ 40 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Chop Suey Green dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; tolerates light afternoon shade in hot climates

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Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; water deeply 1-2 times per week depending on temperature; increase frequency during hot weather. Provide about 1 inch of water per week including rainfall.

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Spacing: 12 inches

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Days to maturity: 40-60 days

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Planting depth: 0.25-0.5 inches

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

Compost Aged manure Peat moss or coconut coir Balanced fertilizer (10-10-10)

Growing Zones

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Thrives in warm zones 5-11, but can be grown as a warm-season annual in zones 2-4

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

7-10 days

Small plants with 2-4 true leaves; delicate cotyledons visible

Keep soil warm (70-80°F) and moist; provide bright light; thin seedlings to proper spacing; avoid overwatering to prevent damping off

Vegetative/Leaf Development

20-35 days

Rapid leaf growth with intensifying color; plants develop multiple stems and expanded foliage in red, yellow, and green variegation

Maintain consistent moisture and warmth; fertilize every 2-3 weeks with balanced or nitrogen-rich fertilizer; ensure adequate sunlight for best color development

Pre-Flowering

5-10 days

Plants reach full size (12-18 inches); foliage color is most vibrant; flower buds begin to form at stem tips

Begin harvesting outer leaves to encourage bushier growth and delay flowering; maintain regular watering and feeding

Flowering/Seed Development

10-15 days

Small grain-like flowers appear at tips; plant begins to shift energy from leaves to seeds; foliage quality declines

Harvest leaves more aggressively before plant bolts; can remove flower buds to extend leaf production; plant becomes less palatable as it matures

Late Harvest/End of Season

Variable

Plant becomes woody and bitter; seed heads mature; foliage is less tender

Pull plant and compost if allowing seeds to fall for self-seeding; otherwise harvest final leaves early in morning for best flavor

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Eggplant Cucumber Pepper Tomato Bean Marigold Nasturtium

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Dill Parsnip Carrot

Common Pests

Use row covers on young plants; spray with neem oil or spinosad; encourage beneficial insects; avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen
Spray with strong water stream; use insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce ladybugs; reflective mulch may deter
Increase humidity; spray with water; use neem oil or sulfur dust; ensure adequate spacing for air circulation
Use row covers; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; remove affected leaves; encourage natural predators
Practice crop rotation; use well-draining soil; plant resistant varieties if available; solarize soil if problem is severe

Uses

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Asian Stir-fries & Hot Wok Cooking

Culinary

Chop Suey Green is a classic ingredient in Chinese and Southeast Asian cuisine, prized for its ability to wilt quickly while retaining some texture. The tender leaves and stems add nutritional value and vibrant color to stir-fried dishes, soups, and hot pots. [source]

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Fresh Salads & Raw Preparations

Culinary

Young, tender leaves can be eaten raw in salads for a mild, slightly nutty flavor and striking visual presentation. The colorful foliage adds ornamental appeal to mixed green salads. [source]

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Nutritional & Phytonutrient Content

Medicinal

Chop Suey Green is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, calcium, and iron, plus contains beneficial compounds like betalains and polyphenols with antioxidant properties. Traditional Asian medicine has valued amaranth greens for digestive and nutritional support. [source]

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Natural Food Coloring & Dyes

Household

The vibrant red and purple pigments in Chop Suey Green leaves contain natural anthocyanins and betalains that can be used to create plant-based food dyes and colorings for culinary and craft purposes. [source]

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Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Support

Wildlife

When allowed to flower, Chop Suey Green produces grain-like flower spikes that attract pollinators and beneficial insects. The mature seeds also provide food for songbirds. [source]

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

Harvest Tips

Begin harvesting outer leaves when plants are 6-8 inches tall, typically 30-40 days after planting. Pinch off leaves from the outside in, allowing the center to continue growing for continuous harvest. Harvest in early morning for maximum crispness and nutrient content. Young leaves are most tender and flavorful; harvest before flowering for best taste. Plants can be continuously harvested for 4-8 weeks. Cut or pinch leaves rather than pulling to avoid damaging the root system. Once flowers appear, leaf quality declines rapidly, so plan succession plantings for continuous supply.

Fun Facts

🌱 Chop Suey Green (Amaranthus tricolor) is a cultivated variety of amaranth that has been grown in Asia for thousands of years and is still a staple in many traditional Asian cuisines.
🌱 The name 'Chop Suey' refers to a Chinese-American dish, but this plant is far older than that culinary creation—it was already popular in Chinese gardens centuries before chop suey became a restaurant dish.
🌱 Amaranth greens are among the most nutritionally dense leafy vegetables, containing more protein per ounce than many other greens, and the entire plant (leaves, stems, seeds, and roots) is edible and nutritious.

Gardening Terms

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

Bolt Compost Damping Off Full Sun Succession Planting True Leaves

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