How to Grow Hangdown Head
Hangdown Head
Amaranthus caudatus
flowerHangdown Head, also known as Love-Lies-Bleeding, is an ornamental amaranth featuring distinctive drooping, rope-like flower spikes that can reach 12-24 inches long. These vibrant crimson or deep red inflorescences hang gracefully from tall stems, creating a dramatic garden focal point. The plant is grown primarily for its exotic appearance and is also edible, with nutritious seeds and leaves.
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Example Hangdown Head timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Hangdown Head
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Hangdown Head blooms
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Hangdown Head dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-11 as an annual; prefers warm-season growing in cooler zones
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Seedling
10-14 daysTiny seedlings emerge with oval cotyledons and initial true leaves. Plants are delicate and pale green.
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright, indirect light. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once they develop 2-3 true leaves.
Vegetative
30-40 daysPlants develop sturdy stems and large, lance-shaped, often burgundy-tinged foliage. Growth is rapid during warm weather.
Water moderately. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizer, which promotes excessive leafy growth at the expense of flowers. Pinch back growing tips for bushier plants if desired.
Flowering
20-30 days until peak floweringDistinctive drooping, rope-like flower panicles emerge from upper leaf axils and stem tips. Flowers are densely packed tiny florets in shades of crimson, deep red, or burgundy.
Reduce watering slightly to promote better flowering. Deadhead spent lower flower sections to encourage continued blooming. Support tall varieties with stakes if needed.
Seed Production
20-30 daysFlower spikes fade to brown-bronze as tiny round seeds develop within the dried inflorescence. Plants may self-sow.
Allow some flowers to mature if you want seed collection. Harvest seed heads before heavy frost or allow to dry on the plant.
Maturity & Harvest
Until frost (in cold zones) or season's endPlants reach full height with numerous hanging flower spikes. Dried flowers remain attractive for weeks.
Cut fresh flowers for arrangements or allow to dry on the plant for dried arrangements. Harvest seeds once flower heads are completely dry and papery.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; increase humidity; remove heavily infested leaves
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Spray with water to dislodge; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap; introduce ladybugs
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and
Remove by hand; use beer traps; apply food-grade diatomaceous earth; encourage natural predators
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Plant resistant varieties; ensure good drainage; avoid overhead watering; remove and destroy infected plants
Uses
Nutritious Grains and Greens
CulinaryAmaranth seeds are a complete protein containing all nine essential amino acids, making them valuable for grinding into flour or cooking as a grain. Young leaves are edible as a nutritious potherb similar to spinach. [source]
Cut and Dried Arrangements
HouseholdThe distinctive drooping flower spikes are prized by florists and home arrangers for fresh cut arrangements that last 1-2 weeks, and dry beautifully for long-lasting dried bouquets and wreaths. [source]
Dye Production
CraftThe deep crimson and burgundy pigments in amaranth flowers can be extracted and used as natural plant-based dyes for textiles and crafts. [source]
Traditional Medicine
MedicinalIn traditional medicine systems, amaranth has been used to address inflammation and support digestive health, though scientific validation is ongoing. [source]
Seed Source for Birds
WildlifeThe abundant tiny seeds in mature flower heads provide excellent forage for finches and other seed-eating birds, making it valuable for wildlife gardens. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Cut fresh flowers early in the morning when stems are fully hydrated, cutting just above a leaf node. For dried arrangements, harvest when flower spikes are fully mature and papery, typically 2-3 weeks after peak flowering. To collect seeds, allow flower heads to dry completely on the plant (turning brown), then cut and collect seeds in a paper bag. Plants readily self-seed.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The name 'Love-Lies-Bleeding' comes from European folklore and the plant's dramatic crimson drooping flowers, which were said to represent lost love.
- 🌱 Amaranth seeds have been cultivated for over 8,000 years by Aztecs and other Mesoamerican civilizations as a staple grain crop, earning it status as an ancient superfood.
- 🌱 A single Hangdown Head plant can produce thousands of tiny seeds, and the plant readily self-sows, sometimes appearing volunteering in gardens year after year.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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