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Amaranthus tricolor

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', Illumination, Splendens
Tags:
#purple#gold#deciduous#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#pink flowers#purple leaves#red leaves#showy leaves#pink leaves#yellow leaves#low maintenance#afternoon shade#fall interest#summer flowers#gold leaves#copper leaves#variegated#spring interest#edible garden#poor soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#annual
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Carnival'
  • Illumination
  • Splendens
'Carnival', Illumination, Splendens
Tags:
#purple#gold#deciduous#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#pink flowers#purple leaves#red leaves#showy leaves#pink leaves#yellow leaves#low maintenance#afternoon shade#fall interest#summer flowers#gold leaves#copper leaves#variegated#spring interest#edible garden#poor soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#annual
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Edible
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Insignificant
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spike
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Description:
    Small flower spikes are in leaf axis.
  • 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).
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Heat
    Poor Soil