Amaranthus gangeticus growing herbaceous of the genus Amaranthus and also known as Elephant head amaranth, Amaranthus gangeticus shot perennial evergreen or in cold weather an annual plant, it’s edible plant and mostly used as ornamental plant, grow in mediterranean, subtropical, temperate, tropic climate and growing in hardiness zone 2+.
Amaranthus gangeticus edible leaves and flower
Leaves edible in oval shape, the leaves color can be: green, purple or something in between.
Flowers small purple or red and grow on inflorescence stalk, the seeds are also edible.
Amaranthus gangeticus for sale – Seeds or Plants to Buy
How to grow Amaranthus gangeticus growing and care:
Moist, rich soil, mulch, sometimes the plants need support of cane that the plant won’t fall
What is the best way to start growing:
Seedling / Seed (explanation below) / Cutting – cut stem in new growth, if there isn’t growth cut the top of the plant it will induce new growth, after the stem grow cut and put it in moist soil with high humidity care that the soil won’t dry, better not to do it when the plant is bloom and generally not a lot success
Is it necessary to graft or use vegetative reproduction?
No, better to grow from seeds
Difficulties/Problems with growing:
Aggressive, can be invasive
Planting season:
Spring, (in cold area better start growing indoor in the end of the winter than to transfer it outdoor after the last frost), when buy small plant in warm region possible to plant it in the summer
Pests and diseases:
Apids, prodenia, slugs
Pruning season:
Summer / Autumn, possible all year, better after the plant dead or in the spring before the flowers
How to prune:
Recommend to prune the flowers, usually not necessary to prune, but if needed that the plant will be small or more full of stems better to cut in the top of the plant in the spring after the plant establish, care when you prune not too much before flowers.
Size of the plant:
0.8-1.5 m, 32-60 inches
Growth speed in optimal condition:
Fast growing / Medium growing
Irrigation water management requirement:
Average amount of water
Light conditions in optimal condition for growing:
Full Sun, can be with less than full sun, it will affect the amount of flowers, although better to prune the colored leaves mostly grow next to the flowers
Is it possible to grow indoor as houseplant?
No
Growing is also possible in a pot / planter /flowerpot / containers:
Yes, when grow in container size better to be 5-8 liter (1.5-2 gallon), require average amount of water, it’s to keep the soil moist consider to put mulch and can reduce vaporization of the water, need to take care that the soil well ventilated with good drainage, rich with organic matter, can use in potting mix or peat soil with perlite or vermiculite.
Blooming information
When does flowers bloom?
Summer / Autumn
General information about the flower
Purple or red small flowers, inflorescence stalk
Thinning / Deadheading of Blossom:
Not recommend cause the seeds are also edible
Pollination is done by:
Bees, fly
Edible leaves
When to trim the leaves?
Spring / Summer / Autumn
How to trim the leaves?
Cut the stems or just leaves from the base
Information about leaves:
Oval, the leaves color can be: green or purple
Uses of leaves:
Eaten raw, salad, stir fry, cooked
Scientific name:
Amaranthus tricolor gangeticus