Amaranth Planting Guide

Amaranth is an ancient grain crop with edible leaves and seeds, rich in protein and micronutrients. It thrives in warm conditions and is drought-tolerant once established.

Amaranthus cruentus · Vegetable · Amaranthaceae family · 90–120 days to maturity

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Where Can You Grow Amaranth?

Zone Compatibility for Amaranth Zones 2a – 11b

1a 1b 2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b 12a 12b 13a 13b

Ideal (data available) Suitable Marginal Not recommended

Planting Dates by Zone

Zone	Start Indoors	Direct Sow	Transplant	Harvest
Zone 2a	Mar 28	Jun 13	Jun 20	Sep 19 – Nov 7
Zone 2b	Mar 20	Jun 5	Jun 12	Sep 11 – Oct 30
Zone 3a	Mar 13	May 29	Jun 5	Sep 4 – Oct 9
Zone 3b	Mar 8	May 24	May 31	Aug 30 – Oct 4
Zone 4a	Mar 4	May 20	May 27	Aug 26 – Oct 14
Zone 4b	Feb 27	May 15	May 22	Aug 21 – Oct 9
Zone 5a	Feb 28	May 2	May 9	Aug 8 – Sep 26
Zone 5b	Feb 21	Apr 25	May 2	Aug 1 – Sep 19
Zone 6a	Feb 13	Apr 17	Apr 24	Jul 24 – Sep 11
Zone 6b	Feb 6	Apr 10	Apr 17	Jul 17 – Sep 4
Zone 7a	Feb 4	Apr 1	Apr 8	Jul 8 – Aug 26
Zone 7b	Jan 28	Mar 25	Apr 1	Jul 1 – Aug 19
Zone 8a	Jan 18	Mar 15	Mar 22	Jun 21 – Aug 9
Zone 8b	Jan 7	Mar 4	Mar 11	Jun 10 – Jul 29
Zone 9a	Dec 30	Feb 10	Feb 17	May 19 – Jul 7
Zone 9b	Dec 14	Jan 25	Feb 1	May 3 – Jun 21
Zone 10a	Nov 20	Jan 1	Jan 8	Apr 9 – May 28
Zone 10b	Nov 20	Jan 1	Jan 8	Apr 9 – May 28
Zone 11a	Nov 20	Jan 1	Jan 8	Apr 9 – May 28
Zone 11b	Nov 20	Jan 1	Jan 8	Apr 9 – May 28

How to Plant Amaranth

Planting Depth

15"

Between Plants

24"

Between Rows

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.

🧪 Soil pH

6 – 7.5

Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.

🗺️ Hardiness Zones

Zone 2a – 11b

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

Medium-season crop. Start early for best results in shorter seasons.

👪 Plant Family

Amaranthaceae

Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Amaranthaceae family crops grew last year.

How Much Amaranth to Grow

Amaranth takes 90–120 days to mature. In most zones you'll get one harvest per season, so plant enough to last.

Companion Planting for Amaranth

✅ Good Companions

Corn Tomatoes Eggplant

❌ Keep Away From

Fennel

Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Growing Tips for Amaranth

Direct sow after last frost when soil is warm. Thin seedlings to 18 inches apart. Harvest leaves when young and tender; harvest seeds when flower heads begin to dry.

Saving Amaranth Seeds

Recommended for Your Garden

🌱

Seed Starting Trays $8-20

Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.

🧪

Soil Test Kit $12-25

Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.

🏷️

Garden Plant Markers $6-12

Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.

Level Up Your Garden

Seed Saving & Storage Guide

Learn when to harvest, how to dry, and how to store seeds from 200 plants. Never buy seeds again.

Learn More →

Amaranth by State

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to grow Amaranth?

Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus) takes 90 to 120 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.

What zones can Amaranth grow in?

Amaranth can be grown in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.

How much sun does Amaranth need?

Growing Amaranth requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 6 to 7.5.

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