How To Grow Red Amaranth Sprouts
I dare you to approach someone who loves to be a part of the health and longevity space and ask them about the benefits of sprouts and microgreens. Watch closely how their eyes light up like fireflies! I’ve been on both sides of this interaction and let me tell you, sprouts are awesome.
Given that I like to grow my own food, I tried my hand at growing all sorts of sprouts with great success. But what surprised me to learn is that not all sprouts have to be microgreens. In fact, some of them are red and purple and they offer a unique flavor to your palette with just as many micronutrients as normal microgreens.
That’s where red amaranth comes into play.
This beet-like, zesty, and sweet red sprout packs a punch and is the perfect addition to your salads and sandwiches. I bought a pack of seeds and documented everything I learned about growing and sprouting red amaranth for this article.
So with that being said, let’s talk about how to grow red amaranth in more detail before we delve into the growing guide.
Red Amaranth Explained

Red amaranth, also known as blood amaranth and Amaranthus cruentus, is a beautiful leafy vegetable belonging to the Amaranthaceae family. It’s leaves are purple or red and are packed with nutrients and visual appeal. It also has a rich red flower that grows many inches in height.
Red amaranth is said to be a good source of vitamins C, K, and A as well as essential minerals like calcium, iron, and potassium.
As sprouts, they offer tremendous antioxidants and dietary fiber that aid in health and longevity. In terms of taste, when consumed as sprouts, they are tangy, zesty, and slightly sweet, with similar notes of flavor to beets.
As a fully grown plant, the leaves and stems can be cooked and used in many dishes, such as soups, salads, stir-fries, and stews. Furthermore, the seeds of red amaranth can be consumed as a grain substitute.
Botanical name: | Amaranthus spp. |
Notable or common names: | Red amaranth, amaranth, love lies bleeding, prince’s feather, blood amaranth, Mexican grain amaranth |
Family: | Amaranthaceae |
Type: | Annual |
Classification: | C4 following the 4-carbon photosynthetic pathway |
Native area: | America |
Season: | Early spring (sowing) and summer or fall (blossoming) |
Flower color: | Red |
Sun exposure: | Full sun, partial shade |
Time: | 120 days until full growth |
Growing Guide

Seed & Soil Selection
When purchasing seeds, choose a reputable brand that you have tried before. Most packs include between 70 and 200 seeds, depending on the brand and price.
Red amaranth requires well-drained, loose, and neutral to slightly acidic soil. A neutral pH balance of 6.5 to 7.5 is best for growth. In most cases, I would recommend potting soil when sprouting seeds but you may also use peat moss or even fine compost.
Sowing Seeds
Indoors: Use trays or pots with potting soil or peat moss to sow seeds. Sprinkle evenly, press lightly, and cover with a thin layer of soil or compost. Water gently until the soil and seeds are moist and wet but avoid waterlogging by overwatering.
Outdoors: You can directly sow seeds into the ground immediately after the last frost date and when the soil temperature is at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius). Do not bury seeds too deeply and ensure that the soil is wet before sowing.
Environment
Sunlight: Place seeds in an area with adequate sunlight because red amaranth thrives in full sun and partial shade. Aim for 6 hours of sunlight exposure for optimal germination and growth.
Temperature: It requires a warm environment between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, or 21 and 24 degrees Celsius.
Care
Watering: Try to water daily but avoid waterlogging if growing in pots or containers. If you are growing them beyond sprouts, once they reach 6 to 8 inches tall, you can use an irrigation system to keep the soil moist.
Mulching: When growing red amaranth to full plants, mulch can be used to mitigate weeds and retain moisture in the soil.
Thinning: When seedlings reach over 6 inches tall, thin them out and spread them apart by 6 to 8 inches for each plant to grow.
Support: Provide additional support for these plants as they grow by utilizing netting, stakes, or wire for them to climb as they grow.
Harvesting

Sprouts: It took approximately two weeks for me to germinate red amaranth seeds and for them to form leaves. I waited an additional week before I harvested so that they were long enough for me to cut.
Leaves: It is recommended to harvest tender young leaves and it could take up to 40 days after planting for them to develop. Cut the outer leaves and allow the center to keep growing.
Seed: It takes up to 120 days for seed heads to form and mature. Once they do, harvest the grains when they are dry and can be shaken off from the head.
Regrowth: Since this is an annual plant, for a continuous harvest, plant seeds from the head of the red amaranth whenever they grow.
Check out my garden vlog to watch me harvesting red amaranth sprouts:
FAQ
How long does it take for amaranth to reach full maturity?
It takes amaranth 120 days to reach full maturity from seeds. This timeline can be sped up by altering the environment and making it conducive to optimal growth.
How long does it take for amaranth to sprout?
Red amaranth can sprout anywhere from 4 to 12 days. In my experience, it took 2 weeks for the seeds to sprout and develop leaves.
Where does amaranth grow best?
Amaranth grows best in warm climates and is native to America but can now be found all over the world, including Africa.
Can you eat amaranth leaves raw?
Yes, amaranth leaves can be eaten raw but they are also cooked and steamed, depending on personal preferences.
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