Amaranthus 'Love Lies Bleeding' Seeds
There are flowers that stand upright, flowers that spread horizontally, and then there's 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. It produces extraordinary burgundy-red tassels that can reach up to 60cm long (sometimes even longer!), hanging vertically like thick, luxurious dreadlocks or heavy rope from a stately, upright, substantial plant reaching 90-120cm tall.
It's undeniably theatrical, deliciously gothic, and utterly unlike anything else in the garden—people will stop and ask "What IS that?!" This is a half-hardy annual from the high Andes of South America that absolutely thrives in heat and summer sunshine. Once it gets going, it's remarkably tough and low-maintenance—it laughs at drought, tolerates poor soil, and keeps producing those spectacular cascading tassels continuously from July right through until frost. Perfect for creating dramatic focal points in hot borders, adding extraordinary vertical drama and movement to cutting gardens, and absolutely essential for anyone who grows flowers for drying—those velvety burgundy ropes hold their deep colour beautifully when air-dried, making them indispensable for autumn wreaths and dramatically moody arrangements.
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🌿 Understanding the Plant
Amaranthus caudatus 'Love Lies Bleeding' is a Half-Hardy Annual (H2), meaning it's frost-tender and completes its entire life cycle in a single growing season.
This plant originates from the high-altitude Andes mountains in South America, where it was cultivated for millennia by the Inca and Aztec civilizations both as an ornamental and as an important food crop.
The Romantic Name: "Love Lies Bleeding" references the shape and color of the drooping tassels resembling streams of blood, or the plant's association with tragic Victorian flower language symbolizing hopeless love.
The Remarkable Structure: The plant forms a substantial upright base (90-120cm) with large pointed leaves. From the leaf axils emerge extraordinary flower tassels—densely packed clusters of hundreds of tiny crimson flowers along long, pendulous spikes that hang vertically due to their weight.
Heat and Drought Adaptation: Amaranthus develops a deep taproot making it genuinely drought-tolerant once established. It's perfect for hot, dry spots where other flowers struggle.
🌱 Growing Guide
Amaranthus needs warmth to germinate and full sun plus heat to thrive.
How to Sow:
Always sow indoors March-May. Sow into modules, pressing seeds lightly onto moist compost surface but don't cover—they need light to germinate. Keep warm at 18-21°C. Germination takes 10-14 days. Pot on into larger pots when first true leaves appear.
Planting Out:
DO NOT plant out until ALL frost danger has passed (late May/early June). Amaranthus is frost-sensitive and sulks in cold soil. Harden off gradually over 7-10 days. Space 45-60cm apart.
Site Requirements:
Full sun essential (minimum 6 hours direct sunlight). Thrives in poor to average soil—rich soil produces leaves but fewer tassels. Free-draining soil ideal.
Ongoing Care:
Water regularly until established, then quite drought-tolerant. No deadheading needed unless harvesting. May need staking in exposed positions.
Harvesting for Drying:
Cut when tassels are fully formed but before seeds ripen. Strip foliage, bunch 5-6 stems, hang upside down in warm, dark, well-ventilated place. Dries in 2-3 weeks, maintaining deep burgundy colour for years.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Botanical Name | Amaranthus caudatus 'Love Lies Bleeding' |
| Common Names | Love Lies Bleeding, Tassel Flower, Velvet Flower |
| Plant Type | Half-Hardy Annual |
| Hardiness | H2 (Half-hardy - frost tender) |
| Light Requirements | Full Sun ☀️ (essential - minimum 6 hours) |
| Height | 90-120cm (3-4 feet) |
| Spread | 45-60cm (18-24 inches) |
| Tassel Length | 30-60cm long |
| Spacing | Plant 45-60cm apart |
| Flowering Period | July to October |
| Perfect For | 🌸 Dramatic Focal Point ✂️ Cut Flower (Fresh & Dried) 🍂 Essential Dried Flower 🎭 Gothic Garden Schemes 🏺 Container Displays ☀️ Heat & Drought-Tolerant Gardens |
| Seeds per Packet | Approximately 250 seeds |
🤝 Beautiful Garden Combinations
The theatrical burgundy-crimson and cascading form needs companions that match its drama:
- 🌻 Zinnia 'Giants of California': The Tropical Heat Alliance. Perfect complementary forms! Upright Zinnia blooms contrast beautifully with cascading Amaranthus tassels. Both thrive in heat and flower prolifically. Plant tall Amaranthus (90-120cm) at back with Zinnias (90-100cm) in front for tropical, high-energy display.
- 💜 Verbena bonariensis: The See-Through Sophistication. Tall, wiry, see-through Verbena stems with purple clusters create wonderful contrast with heavy Amaranthus tassels. The transparent structure allows viewing through to the dramatic focal point behind. Purple-violet and burgundy-crimson create harmonious wine-toned scheme.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar
Sow indoors in spring. Plant out ONLY after frost (late May/June). Flowers July-October.
⚠️ Wait for Warmth!
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. Be patient—wait for genuinely warm, settled weather!
🌾 Premium Dried Flower
Amaranthus 'Love Lies Bleeding' 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!
📖 Want more detailed growing advice?
View our Complete Growing Guides →
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£2.25 - Regular price
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