How to Grow Love Lies Bleeding
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Love Lies Bleeding
Amaranthus caudatus
flowerLove Lies Bleeding is an ornamental annual flower known for its distinctive long, velvety drooping flower spikes that cascade downward like a lover's tears. The plant grows 2-3 feet tall with broad green or reddish foliage and produces deep crimson, burgundy, or sometimes pink and white flower tassels from mid-summer through fall. It's a heat-loving plant that adds dramatic vertical interest and texture to gardens, borders, and floral arrangements.
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Example Love Lies Bleeding timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Love Lies Bleeding
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 Love Lies Bleeding blooms
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Love Lies Bleeding dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-11; prefers warm conditions and is grown as an annual in most regions
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Get my Love Lies Bleeding timeline →Growth Stages
Germination
7-14 daysTiny seedlings emerge with cotyledons (seed leaves) visible. Plants are fragile and delicate.
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright, indirect light. Maintain temperatures between 70-75°F.
Seedling
2-3 weeksTrue leaves develop; seedlings grow 2-4 inches tall with increasingly robust stems and foliage.
Gradually increase light exposure. Thin seedlings to proper spacing if direct sowing. Maintain warm conditions.
Vegetative Growth
3-6 weeksPlant establishes strong root system and produces multiple stems with broad, elongated leaves. Reaches 12-24 inches in height.
Support tall varieties with stakes if needed. Water regularly and fertilize every 2-3 weeks with balanced fertilizer. Pinch center stem for bushier growth if desired.
Flowering
6-10 weeksCharacteristic drooping flower spikes emerge from the top and leaf axils. Flowers develop fully, displaying rich colors in deep crimson, burgundy, pink, or bicolor combinations.
Continue regular watering and fertilizing; switch to lower nitrogen fertilizer to encourage flowering. Deadhead spent flower spikes to prolong blooming.
Seed Production & Harvest
Until frostFlower spikes mature and develop thousands of small round seeds. Plants may begin to decline as energy goes into seed production.
Allow some flower spikes to remain on the plant if saving seeds. Cut spikes for drying and seed collection. Plants will continue blooming until frost.
Common Pests
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Increase humidity with regular misting; spray with water to dislodge; use neem oil or insecticidal soap if severe
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Spray with strong water stream; use insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs
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and
Handpick in early morning or evening; use beer traps; apply diatomaceous earth around base; encourage natural predators
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Yellow sticky traps; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; ensure good air circulation
Uses
Edible Amaranth Leaves
CulinaryTender young leaves of Amaranthus caudatus are edible and nutrient-dense, similar to spinach. They can be eaten raw in salads, cooked as a leafy green, or added to soups. [source]
Cut Flowers & Dried Arrangements
HouseholdThe distinctive drooping spikes are highly valued for fresh and dried floral arrangements, adding dramatic texture and movement. They last exceptionally well in vases and dry naturally for long-lasting dried arrangements. [source]
Natural Dye Source
CraftThe deep crimson and burgundy flowers and stems can be used to create natural dyes for textiles and crafts. The dye produces rich red to purple hues depending on mordants used. [source]
Pollinator Attraction
WildlifeThe flowers attract bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators throughout the growing season, making it valuable for supporting beneficial insects in the garden. [source]
Traditional Herbal Uses
MedicinalIn traditional medicine systems, amaranth has been used to support various health conditions and was considered a symbol of immortality and love in ancient cultures. [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 cut flowers, harvest spikes in early morning when dew has dried. Cut stems at a 45-degree angle just below the flower spike. Place in water immediately. Spikes last 7-10 days in a vase. For seeds, allow flowers to dry on the plant until brown and papery, then cut spikes and dry indoors for 2-3 weeks before collecting seeds.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The name 'Love Lies Bleeding' comes from the romantic appearance of the drooping crimson flower spikes, which resembled a lover's heart breaking or tears falling.
- 🌱 Amaranthus caudatus is one of the few plants that can thrive in extreme heat and drought, making it ideal for xeriscaping and hot climates.
- 🌱 This plant was considered a sacred crop by the Aztecs and was used in religious ceremonies; the seeds were ground into flour to make ceremonial cakes.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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