How to Grow Love-Lies-Bleeding Amaranth
Love-Lies-Bleeding Amaranth
Amaranthus caudatus
flowerLove-Lies-Bleeding is a dramatic ornamental annual with long, drooping, rope-like flower spikes that cascade downward in shades of deep red, burgundy, or pink. Native to tropical regions of South America, this heat-loving plant grows 3-6 feet tall and adds a bold, exotic element to gardens and dried flower arrangements. The velvety texture and unusual form make it a striking focal point in any landscape.
When should you plant Love-Lies-Bleeding Amaranth in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Love-Lies-Bleeding Amaranth timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Love-Lies-Bleeding Amaranth
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 Amaranth blooms
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Love-Lies-Bleeding Amaranth dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-11 as an annual; prefers warm temperatures and performs best in zones 5-10
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Get my Love-Lies-Bleeding Amaranth timeline →Growth Stages
Germination
7-14 daysSeeds sprout with tiny cotyledons; very small seedlings emerge within 7-10 days
Keep soil warm (70-80°F) and consistently moist. Provide bright light. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once they develop true leaves
Seedling
3-4 weeksYoung plants develop 2-4 true leaves; foliage is green and tender, growth is slow initially
Maintain warm conditions. Water gently to avoid damping off. Begin light feeding with diluted fertilizer after 3-4 true leaves appear
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksPlant rapidly elongates; develops multiple branches and lush green foliage, reaching 1-3 feet tall
Water regularly and feed every 2-3 weeks with balanced or high-nitrogen fertilizer to promote leafy growth. Pinch tips early to encourage bushier plants if desired
Flowering & Bloom
6-12 weeksDistinctive drooping flower spikes (amaranths) emerge from leaf axils and terminal points; spikes elongate and deepen in color from greenish to rich red/burgundy over weeks
Switch to lower-nitrogen or balanced fertilizer to support flowering. Maintain consistent moisture. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming, or leave some to mature for seeds
Maturation & Seed Production
4-8 weeksFlower spikes fully mature and develop maximum color and length; seeds form within florets and become hard and viable
Reduce watering slightly; allow soil to dry between waterings. Stop fertilizing. Leave mature spikes on plant if saving seeds; harvest before frost or heavy rain
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil if infestation is severe. Increase humidity around plants
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Spray with strong water stream; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 5-7 days as needed
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Hand-pick if few; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for larger infestations
Uses
Edible Leaves & Seeds
CulinaryYoung leaves can be eaten as leafy greens similar to spinach, high in protein and nutrients. Seeds are edible and nutritious, sometimes popped like popcorn or ground into flour. [source]
Dried Flower Arrangements
CraftThe drooping flower spikes dry beautifully and retain their deep color for months, making them ideal for dried arrangements, wreaths, and long-lasting floral displays. [source]
Natural Dyes
HouseholdThe vibrant red and purple pigments in the flowers can be used to create natural dyes for textiles, paper, and other crafts. [source]
Bird & Pollinator Food
WildlifeMature seeds attract finches, sparrows, and other seed-eating birds. Flowers attract hummingbirds and insects throughout the growing season. [source]
Traditional Herbal Uses
MedicinalIn traditional medicine, amaranth leaves and seeds have been used to support digestive and circulatory health, though scientific evidence is limited. [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 when fully elongated and color is rich but before they begin to deteriorate; cut in morning and place in water immediately. For dried flowers, harvest when spikes are fully mature and crispy; hang bundles upside-down in a warm, dry, well-ventilated area for 2-3 weeks. For seeds, allow spikes to dry completely on the plant, then harvest and thresh to collect seeds; store in cool, dry conditions
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Love-Lies-Bleeding gets its poetic common name from the drooping, blood-red flower spikes that resemble tears or a broken heart, and it has inspired artists and gardeners for centuries.
- 🌱 The plant is also called 'Prince's Feather' or 'Tassel Flower' depending on the region, and amaranth seeds were a staple crop of the Aztecs before European colonization.
- 🌱 A single mature plant can produce tens of thousands of tiny seeds, and self-sown seedlings often appear the following year, making this a self-perpetuating garden volunteer.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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