Growing Amaranth in Pots: The Complete Guide to Caring for Your Container Plant

Growing my own food brings me immense joy and satisfaction. I love being able to nurture plants from seed to harvest. Amaranth has become one of my favorite plants to grow in pots. This versatile green can be grown easily at home with minimal effort.

In this comprehensive guide, I will share everything I’ve learned about successfully growing vibrant, healthy amaranth in containers.

Why Grow Amaranth?

Amaranth offers many benefits that make it the perfect plant for home gardeners like us

• Extremely nutritious – High in vitamins, minerals, protein and fiber. The leaves and seeds are edible.

• Beautiful ornamental value – The flowers are bright and the foliage has a lush, exotic look.

• Low maintenance – Does not require much care once established.

• Continuous harvests – You can keep plucking the leaves and allow it to regrow.

• Adaptable – Grows well in pots and small spaces.

Choosing the Right Container

Amaranth can grow over 6 feet tall when allowed to mature. But you can control its size by using containers.

For bushy amaranth greens, use at least a 12-inch wide pot. This will accommodate the root system and allow you to harvest multiple times.

I would recommend using plastic pots, fabric grow bags or recycled buckets/pails. Make sure the container has adequate drainage holes at the bottom.

Best Potting Mix for Amaranth

Creating the ideal potting mix provides proper drainage and nutrients for optimal growth.

Here is my homemade mix that has given great results:

• 1 part compost – Provides nutrients
• 1 part peat moss – Retains moisture
• 1 part perlite – Improves drainage

You can also purchase a commercial organic potting soil blend. Just avoid regular garden soil as it can get too compacted. The potting mix should be loose and fluffy.

How to Plant Amaranth Seeds

Amaranth can be grown from seed or transplants. I prefer sowing seeds directly in pots as it’s more convenient.

Here are the simple steps for planting amaranth seeds:

• Fill your container with moist potting mix, level and smooth the surface.

• Spread the tiny seeds evenly over the soil.

• Gently press them into the soil and cover lightly with 1/4 inch layer.

• Water thoroughly after sowing and keep the soil moist.

• Germination occurs within 5-7 days in warm weather.

Caring for Your Potted Amaranth Plant

Once your seeds have germinated, follow these tips to help your amaranth thrive:

Sunlight

Amaranth flourishes in full sun – at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily is ideal. Partial shade is also fine during very hot afternoons.

Water

Establish a regular watering schedule based on your climate. The soil should be kept moist but not soaked. Wait until the top inch becomes dry before watering again.

Temperature

Amaranth prefers warm conditions around 70°F – 75°F. It can tolerate higher temperatures but may need some shade.

Fertilizer

Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season. This provides a nutritional boost to the fast growing plant.

Pruning & Thinning

To prevent overcrowding, pinch off the growing tips to encourage bushy growth. Thin seedlings to 6-12 inches apart.

Dealing With Pests and Diseases

Growing a healthy and robust amaranth plant will help prevent most pest and disease issues. But here are some organic remedies to tackle the most common problems:

• For aphids and mites – Use neem oil spray or insecticidal soap.

• For fungal issues – Treat with sulfur powder or copper fungicide spray.

• For wilting leaves – Check for root rot and improve drainage if needed.

When and How to Harvest Amaranth

One of the best things about amaranth is getting to enjoy fresh greens throughout summer.

Harvesting Leaves

• Start plucking leaves once they are at least 6 inches long.

• Use clean scissors to snip off leaves just above the node.

• Harvest from the outside, leaving the inner leaves to sustain the plant.

• Pick leaves as needed, allowing regrowth for multiple harvests.

Harvesting Seeds

• Allow plants to flower and seeds to mature before harvesting.

• Cut off entire seed heads and place upside down in paper bags.

• Seeds will drop to the bottom of the bag as they dry.

• Collect seeds and store in an airtight container.

With proper care, you can get up to 3-4 cuttings of amaranth leaves from each plant in one season. The abundant harvests make all the effort worthwhile!

Tips for Encouraging Regrowth

Here are some useful tips to promote continuous leaf regeneration after each harvest:

• Keep plants well watered and feed with compost or fertilizer. This fuels new growth.

• Prune selectively, leaving some leaves intact to nourish the plant.

• Ensure plants receive sufficient sunlight.

• Check for pests and diseases. Treat issues promptly to avoid stressing the plants.

• Avoid cutting off more than 50% of the foliage at one time.

Common Problems and Solutions

Even experienced gardeners encounter some challenges while growing amaranth. Here are solutions to the most common issues:

Leggy growth – This indicates insufficient light. Move plant to a sunnier location.

Wilting leaves – Check soil moisture and water if dry. Could indicate root damage.

Stunted growth – Apply balanced fertilizer and ensure adequate sunlight.

Seedlings drying out – Cover seeds with vermiculite after sowing to retain moisture.

Poor germination – Viability of seeds may be low. Obtain fresh seeds and proper sowing depth.

Pests – Treat aphids, mites etc. with organic pesticides like neem oil. Remove infested parts promptly.

Fungal diseases – Improve air circulation. Apply copper fungicide spray.

Amaranth Plant Care in Winter

As amaranth is a tropical plant, it cannot tolerate freezing temperatures below 50°F. Here are some overwintering options:

• Grow as an annual and allow it to self-seed for next year.

• Bring pots indoors before first frost. Provide adequate sunlight near a window.

• Take cuttings to propagate new plants indoors to transplant outside next spring.

• Harvest all leaves and seeds by end of season. Treat as an annual and start new plants next year.

Wrapping Up

I hope these tips will inspire you to try growing amaranth in containers this year. With its beautiful foliage, high yields and nutritional benefits, amaranth is a rewarding plant suited for spaces big and small. Just be sure to provide adequate sun, water and nutrition. Happy gardening!