Amaranthus tricolor
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Amaranthus gangeticus
- Phonetic Spelling
- am-a-RAN-thus TRY-col-or
- Description
-
Amaranthus tricolor is an annual plant known for its brightly colored foliage rather than its flowers. This plant is grown as an edible crop in some parts of the world. The genus name comes from the Greek word amarantos meaning unfading in reference to the long-lasting flowers of some species. Specific epithet means three-colored.
Soil: Moist
Space: 12-24 inches
Season: spring to fall
Issues: subject to root rot if kept too moist; over-fertilization may cause dulling of foliage color
Light: Although it can take full sun, Amaranthus tricolor needs late afternoon shade.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Carnival'
- Illumination
- Splendens
- 'Carnival'
- 'Carnival', Illumination, Splendens
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Carnival'
- Illumination
- Splendens
- 'Carnival'
- 'Carnival', Illumination, Splendens
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Amaranthus
- Species:
- tricolor
- Family:
- Amaranthaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Grain crop, leaf vegetable
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Tropical Asia
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Heat, drought, poor soil
- Edibility:
- Seeds, leaves
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Edible
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
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-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Insignificant
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- Small flower spikes are in leaf axis.
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-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Variegated
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- This annual plant is known for its brightly colored foliage rather than its flowers. Leaves come in a variety of interesting, attractive, and multi-colored foliage (of green, purple, yellow, gold, red, pink, and copper).
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-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Heat
- Poor Soil
