Love lies bleeding (Amaranthus caudatus) is an eye-catching annual known for its long, trailing tassels of jewel-toned flowers. Also called foxtail amaranth or tassel flower, this exotic beauty makes a dramatic statement cascading from hanging baskets.
With its vibrant ropes of color, love lies bleeding steals the show on porches, patios, and other vertical spaces. Follow these simple tips for successfully growing this exotic flower from seed and caring for it all season long.
Choosing the Right Hanging Basket
While love lies bleeding can technically grow in any hanging container, its dangling strands make the biggest impact when allowed to spill over the sides. For maximum drama, use at least a 12-14 inch wide basket that’s 10 inches deep. Sturdy wire baskets give the vines room to billow outward.
Make sure the basket has ample drainage holes since love lies bleeding prefers moist but not soggy soil A lightweight potting mix made for containers works perfectly.
When to Start Seeds
Love lies bleeding thrives in hot, sunny weather so start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost date. Plant 2-3 seeds in small pots or cell packs and cover lightly with soil.
Keep the seeds evenly moist and place in a sunny window or under grow lights. Thin to the strongest seedling per pot after sprouting. Harden off young plants before transplanting into hanging baskets after all danger of frost has passed.
Caring for Love Lies Bleeding Baskets
Though relatively easy once established love lies bleeding needs proper care for maximum impact in hanging containers
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Site baskets in full sun (at least 6 hours daily) Afternoon shade is appreciated in very hot climates
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Water when the top inch of soil dries out. Avoid soggy soil. Gently water at the base, not from overhead.
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Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season. Use one made for containers.
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Prune back damaged vines or remove spent blooms to encourage new growth.
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Stake trailing stems if needed to prevent breakage. Soft plant ties or twist ties work well.
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Bring baskets indoors if temperatures drop below 40°F. This tropical annual is not cold hardy.
Maximizing the Drama
Beyond basic care, here are some fun tips for getting the most impact from love lies bleeding in hanging baskets:
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For longest blooming, choose deep red or burgundy varieties like ‘Fountain of Love’ or ‘Queen of Africa’.
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Underplant trailing vines with compact edging plants like sweet alyssum or dwarf petunias.
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Combine with blue or purple companions like lobelia, verbena, or trailing dichondra.
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Mix red and green varieties together for an exotic, tropical look.
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Contrast fine, wispy ‘Coral Fountain’ strands with bold elephant ear leaves.
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Line coir fiber liners with love lies bleeding vines for a natural look.
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Fill large wire egg baskets and let vines spill over dramatically.
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Use in multi-basket displays on railings, arbors, gazebos and other structures.
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Accent with big leaves, grasses or architectural plants like bananas for height.
Enjoy the Show
With its sensational cascades of colorful tassels, love lies bleeding is sure to steal the show spilling from hanging baskets. For maximum impact, give this exotic annual plenty of heat, sun and room to drape its vibrant ropes of jewel-toned blooms.
Cultivars of the Love Lies Bleeding Flower
The foliage of the love lies bleeding plant is an attractive pale green in many cases. The love lies bleeding Amaranthus cultivar ‘Tricolor has striking, multi-colored foliage and is sometimes called ‘Josephs Coat. Viridis and ‘Green Thumb cultivars of the love lies bleeding flower offer green tassels. Growing love lies bleeding in the landscape attracts butterflies and numerous pollinators. The love lies bleeding flower is long lasting and has the best color when planted in poor soil. If there is no spot in the landscape to accommodate this large annual flower, the love lies bleeding flower can be grown in containers and is particularly attractive in hanging baskets. Tassels of the love lies bleeding plant may be used in dried arrangements as well. The exception to minimal love lies bleeding care is removing seeds before they spill to the ground and create a plethora of love lies bleeding. Amaranthus, of which this plant is a family member, is sometimes said to be invasive and even noxious in some areas. If prolific sprouting occurs next year, weed out the seedlings before they become established.
Tips for Growing Love Lies Bleeding
Love lies bleeding care is minimal after the seeds sprout. Until seedlings are actively growing, they should be kept consistently moist. Once established, the love lies bleeding plant is somewhat drought-resistant and needs little looking after until seeds develop. Love lies bleeding plant should be planted in full sun after the soil has warmed. Gardeners with short growing seasons may want to start seeds indoors or purchase seedlings, as growth and flowering in maturity may take the better part of the season. Love lies bleeding plant can reach 5 feet (1.5 m.) in height and 2 feet (61 cm.) across, adding bushy texture in the landscape. Perennial performance may occur from this plant in areas that do not experience frost.
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FAQ
Can you grow love lies bleeding in pots?
The love lies bleeding flower is long lasting and has the best color when planted in poor soil. If there is no spot in the landscape to accommodate this large annual flower, the love lies bleeding flower can be grown in containers and is particularly attractive in hanging baskets.
Is love lies bleeding plant invasive?
Is love-lies-bleeding an invasive plant? Although love-lies-bleeding is not listed as an invasive species, other species of Amaranthus (pigweed and Palmer amaranth) are known to be invasive or noxious in some areas.
How to care for love lies bleeding plant?
Performs best in full sun, in fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soils. Appreciates some afternoon shade in hot summer climates. Provide a sheltered location. Will tolerate poor soil, but then requires watering freely during dry periods in summer.
What to plant with love lies bleeding?
This dramatic annual is easy to grow, sun loving and drought-tolerant. The large plants make striking garden companions to taller flowers like Sunflowers or Tithonia.