Love Lies Bleeding Amaranth

Love Lies Bleeding is a dramatic ornamental amaranth with cascading deep-purple tassels, and it doubles as a nutritious super grain. Both the leaves and protein-rich grain are edible, and plants grow 3 to 4 feet tall.

At a glance

• Type: Ornamental and grain amaranth
• Flowers: Cascading deep-purple tassels
• Foliage: Yellow-green leaves
• Plant height: 3 to 4 feet
• Edible: Leaves and grain
• Sun: Full sun, drought tolerant
• Non-GMO: Open-pollinated heirloom

Best for

• Cut and dried flower arrangements
• Edible leaves cooked like spinach
• Harvesting grain for flour or popping
• Pollinator and cottage gardens
• Dramatic garden backdrops

How to grow

Direct sow after the last frost in full sun. Amaranth is heat- and drought-tolerant and easy to grow. Harvest tender leaves young, and let the tassels dry on the plant to collect the grain.

Flavor profile

The leaves are mild and spinach-like; the grain is nutty and can be popped or milled into flour.

About MIgardener

MIgardener is a Michigan-based seed company offering affordable, non-GMO heirloom seeds for home gardeners.