How to Grow Amaranthus
'Love-Lies-Bleeding' from Seed
The most theatrically dramatic annual you can grow — cascading crimson tassels up to 60cm long, hanging like velvet ropes from a stately 90–120cm plant, making people stop in their tracks and ask "What IS that?"
There are flowers that stand upright, flowers that spread horizontally, and then there is Amaranthus — the flower that cascades dramatically downward in long, velvety crimson ropes, like theatrical curtains, heavy Victorian tassels, or cascading chenille fringe. 'Love-Lies-Bleeding' is one of the most theatrically architectural and genuinely unique plants you can grow from seed — it produces extraordinary burgundy-red tassels that can reach 60cm long or more, hanging vertically like thick, luxurious pendulums from a stately, upright plant that reaches 90–120cm tall.
It is undeniably theatrical, deliciously gothic, and utterly unlike anything else in the garden. The name itself — Love-Lies-Bleeding — references the Victorian flower language of hopeless or tragic love, and the plant wears its dramatic name well. People will stop and stare. People will ask what it is. And when you dry the tassels for winter arrangements — crimson preserved for months in its full deep colour — you will understand why this extraordinary plant has been grown in British cottage gardens for centuries.
Quick Facts at a Glance
Plant Type
Half-Hardy Annual
Sowing Time
March–May indoors only
Flowering Months
July – October
Position
Full sun, heat-loving
Height & Spread
90–120cm · 50cm
Difficulty Rating
3 out of 5 — Moderate
Understanding the Plant
Amaranthus caudatus — the tassel flower or foxtail amaranth — is a half-hardy annual from the high Andes of South America, where it is grown both as an ornamental plant and as a food crop, the seeds being nutritious, gluten-free grain. The genus name Amaranthus derives from the Greek for "never-fading" — a reference to the way the dried flowers hold their colour — and the species name caudatus means "tailed," describing the hanging tassels. The plant has been cultivated in British gardens since at least the sixteenth century.
The tassels that give the plant its common name are not single flowers but densely packed panicles of hundreds of tiny individual crimson florets along long, pendulous spikes that grow from the leaf axils of the main stem and side branches. Each tassel grows progressively longer through the season — starting as a short, upright spike and gradually elongating and drooping under its own increasing weight until it hangs vertically. A well-grown plant in midsummer is genuinely one of the most spectacular sights in the garden.
The Origin of the Name
It captures the romantic history of the name beautifully: "Love Lies Bleeding" references both the shape and colour of the drooping tassels resembling streams of blood, and the Victorian flower language association with hopeless or tragic love. The Victorians were deeply invested in floral symbolism, and amaranthus — with its dramatic, drooping, blood-red tassels — was a natural choice for the language of impossible or unrequited feeling. The plant carries its name with considerable theatrical conviction.
⚠️ Wait for Warmth — The Most Important Rule
"DO NOT plant out until ALL frost danger has passed (late May/June). Young Amaranthus will be killed by even light frost and sulks in cold soil." This is not advisory — it is the single most important rule for growing amaranthus successfully. Plants set out into cold soil in early May will be permanently stunted and may not recover to produce a good display. Wait for genuinely warm, settled weather and late May at the earliest. The wait is worth it.
When & How to Sow
Amaranthus is a half-hardy annual that must be started indoors in warmth — it cannot be direct sown in the UK as it needs both warmth to germinate and a long growing season to develop to full tassel-producing size before autumn frosts arrive. Sow too early and plants will be large and pot-bound by the time they can safely go out; sow too late and they may not have time to develop their full spectacular display. March to May is the right window, with late March to April being ideal.
Sowing Window
Late March to May indoors is the full window. Late March or April sowings give plenty of growing time before the summer display period. May sowings are viable but plants will develop later — expect tassels from August or September rather than July. Your product listing recommends March to May, and this is correct for the UK.
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Sow into modules of good-quality seed compost. Use individual modules or small pots — amaranthus develops quickly and benefits from not being disturbed at pricking out. Press seeds lightly onto moist compost surface. Your product listing is clear: do not cover — seeds need light to germinate.
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Maintain warmth at 20–24°C consistently. A heated propagator is strongly recommended. Amaranthus needs real warmth to germinate reliably — cold windowsill sowings produce very poor results. Germination typically occurs in 7–14 days in warm conditions.
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Move to full light immediately after germination. Amaranthus grows quickly once germinated and becomes leggy in poor light. A south-facing greenhouse or very bright windowsill is needed. Rotate pots daily on a windowsill to prevent leaning.
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Pot on into 9–10cm pots once roots emerge from module base. Amaranthus is a large, vigorous plant — allow adequate root space. Pot on into good-quality multipurpose compost and grow on in the warmest, brightest position available.
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Harden off very carefully from late May. Two full weeks of gradual outdoor acclimatisation. Begin with a sheltered spot on warm days only, bringing in at night. Amaranthus is genuinely cold-sensitive — a cold night after planting out can permanently set back a plant that took weeks to grow. Do not rush this.
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Plant out into final position only when genuinely warm — late May at the absolute earliest. Full sun and reasonably fertile soil. Space 45–60cm apart. Water in well. Pinch out the growing tip once to encourage branching and more tassel stems — this is optional but produces a bushier, more productive plant.
Root Sensitivity
Amaranthus develops a deep taproot and is somewhat sensitive to root disturbance. Sowing into individual modules or pots and transplanting the whole root ball without disturbing it produces the best results. If roots are damaged at transplanting, the plant can recover but growth may be temporarily set back. Handle the root ball carefully and plant without disturbing the root system.
Growing On Tips
Full Sun & Heat
Amaranthus is a plant of the high Andes and genuinely loves heat. Full sun all day long produces the most vigorous plants, the longest tassels and the deepest colour. A south-facing position against a wall that reflects heat is ideal. In a cool, shaded UK summer, plants will be significantly smaller and produce shorter, less impressive tassels.
Pinching Out
Pinch out the growing tip once, when plants are 30–40cm tall, to encourage lateral branching and more tassel-producing stems. An unpinched plant produces one central tassel and fewer side tassels; a pinched plant branches more freely and produces a more abundant display. This is not essential but improves the overall effect significantly.
Watering
Water young plants consistently to establish them. Once the deep taproot is established, amaranthus becomes genuinely drought-tolerant — one of the reasons it performs well in dry, hot summers. Do not overwater established plants, which can cause root rot in wet conditions. Water at the base and allow the soil to dry between waterings.
Support
At 90–120cm with the weight of cascading tassels, amaranthus can be susceptible to wind damage in exposed positions. Place a stake and tie loosely when the plant is young — the central stem is surprisingly sturdy but the long, heavy tassels can drag the whole plant sideways in strong wind. In sheltered gardens, staking is generally unnecessary.
Feeding
Moderate feeding produces the best results — a balanced fertiliser fortnightly from June encourages vigorous tassel production. Avoid very high nitrogen feeds, which encourage leafy growth at the expense of tassels. A high-potash feed from July, once the plant is in active tassel production, sustains colour and vigour through late summer.
Self-Seeding
Amaranthus produces seeds abundantly and may self-seed in sheltered, warm gardens. Volunteer seedlings appear the following spring in mild areas. In the UK's cooler climate, self-seeding is less reliable than in warmer countries, but worth watching for. Collect seed in autumn from the best-coloured tassels for reliable sowing the following spring.
Common Problems & How to Fix Them
| Problem | Likely Cause | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Poor germination | Too cold or seed covered | Must be at 20–24°C — a heated propagator is strongly recommended. Do not cover seed. Germination is typically reliable at the correct temperature; cold is the most common cause of failure. |
| Plant stunted after planting out | Cold soil or cold nights | Amaranthus planted into cold soil may never fully recover. If stunting occurs, remove and resow if time allows. In future seasons, wait for genuinely warm settled weather — late May at the absolute minimum, ideally early June in the north of England and Scotland. |
| Short tassels, poor display | Insufficient heat, shade, or planted too late | Amaranthus needs a long, hot growing season. A cool summer or late planting significantly reduces tassel length. Ensure maximum sun and heat. In cool summers, growing against a south-facing wall dramatically improves results. |
| Aphid attack | Common on young plants | Check the growing tips and undersides of young leaves regularly. Knock aphids off with a strong water jet or apply a soap solution. Encourage beneficial insects by growing companion plants such as alyssum or phacelia nearby. Severe infestations should be treated promptly as they can transmit virus diseases. |
| Virus symptoms (mottled, pale leaves) | Aphid-transmitted virus | There is no cure for virus diseases. Remove and destroy affected plants. Control aphids on nearby plants to reduce spread. Do not compost affected material. |
| Tassels shattering when dry | Cut too late or dried incorrectly | For drying, cut when tassels are firm and fully developed but before they begin to shed seed. Stand upright in a dry vase or hang loosely — do not compress. Dried properly, tassels hold their structure for many months. |
When to Expect Flowers
Tassels typically begin to form in July from a March or April sowing, developing through midsummer and reaching their full, cascading length by August or September. The display continues until the first frosts arrive — the plant has no natural end to its season and would continue producing tassels indefinitely in a frost-free climate. In the UK, the first frost ends it, typically in October.
A plant at full development in August — 90–120cm tall, well-branched, with tassels 30–60cm long cascading from every branch — is genuinely one of the most spectacular sights the cutting garden produces. There is nothing quite like it.
Sow indoors in spring — plant out only once genuinely warm in late May or June. Tassels develop through July and reach their full dramatic length in August and September.
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| 🌱 Sow Indoors |
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| ⚠️ Plant Out |
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| 🩸 Tassels |
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Cutting, Drying & Arranging
Love-Lies-Bleeding is outstanding for both fresh and dried use, and your product listing captures this beautifully: "Amaranthus retains its deep burgundy-crimson colour for years when properly dried. The velvety, cascading tassels are essential for autumn wreaths, gothic dried arrangements, and adding dramatic texture to any dried bouquet."
Cutting Fresh
Cut when tassels are fully developed and deeply coloured — at least three-quarters of the tassel should be fully formed. Cut in the early morning with long stems. Condition in deep cool water for several hours. The tassels are heavy and will cascade dramatically in the vase. Vase life is typically five to seven days. Outstanding with bold summer flowers: dahlias, zinnias, sunflowers, and the dark-leaved plants that complement the crimson.
Drying Love-Lies-Bleeding
Cut for drying when tassels are fully developed and firm — seed has begun to form within the florets, which makes the tassels hold their structure better when dried. Strip all leaves from the stems. Stand upright in a tall vase or container (do not hang — the tassels need gravity to maintain their cascading form as they dry). Place in a warm, dark, well-ventilated space. Drying takes two to three weeks.
Extraordinary Colour Retention
Dried Love-Lies-Bleeding is remarkable for colour retention — the deep burgundy-crimson holds for many months and, in dark storage conditions, for years. This makes it one of the most valuable and most long-lasting elements in dried flower arranging, contributing dramatic colour, extraordinary texture, and cascading form to winter wreaths, gothic arrangements, and any bouquet that needs drama. The softened, velvet quality of the dried tassels is quite different from any other dried flower material available.
Plant Specifications
The flower that makes people stop and stare
Growing Love-Lies-Bleeding is growing something genuinely different — not another pretty cottage garden flower but a plant of real theatrical presence and genuine historical weight, producing cascading crimson tassels that look unlike anything else in a summer garden and dry to one of the most extraordinary and most long-lasting materials available for winter arrangements. It asks for warmth, sun and patience with the planting date. In return it gives you one of the most dramatic spectacles in the summer garden and months of stunning dried flower material through winter. Our Amaranthus 'Love-Lies-Bleeding' seeds are selected for the deepest, richest crimson colour — sow them in March and let the drama begin.
Shop Amaranthus Love-Lies-Bleeding Seeds →