Purple Amaranth

Purple Amaranth: A Hardy Annual with Edible Appeal

Meet purple amaranth (Amaranthus blitum var. blitum), a sturdy little annual that’s been quietly making its way into gardens across the United States. While it might not win any beauty contests with its modest appearance, this unassuming plant has some interesting qualities that might surprise you.

What Is Purple Amaranth?

Purple amaranth is an annual forb – essentially a non-woody herbaceous plant that completes its life cycle in one growing season. Despite its common name, don’t expect showy purple flowers. The purple refers to the reddish-purple tinge often found on the stems and undersides of leaves. The actual flowers are small, greenish, and clustered together in dense, somewhat inconspicuous arrangements.

This plant belongs to the amaranth family and goes by the scientific name Amaranthus blitum var. blitum. You might also see it listed under older names like Amaranthus ascendens or incorrectly as Amaranthus viridis.

Native Status and Distribution

Here’s where things get interesting – purple amaranth isn’t actually native to North America. It’s an introduced species from the Mediterranean region that has established itself in various parts of the United States. Currently, it’s documented as reproducing naturally in Hawaii and New York, though it may be present in other areas as well.

Since it’s non-native, you might want to consider native alternatives like native amaranth species (Amaranthus species native to your region) or other indigenous edible greens that can provide similar benefits while supporting local ecosystems.

Should You Grow Purple Amaranth?

The decision to grow purple amaranth depends on what you’re looking for in your garden. Here are some reasons you might consider it:

• It’s edible – both leaves and seeds can be consumed
• Extremely low maintenance once established
• Tolerates poor soils and drought conditions
• Quick-growing annual that can fill empty spaces
• Self-sows readily for natural succession

However, keep in mind that as a non-native species, it won’t provide the same ecological benefits as native plants. It’s also wind-pollinated, so it doesn’t offer much for pollinators seeking nectar and pollen.

Growing Conditions and Care

If you decide to give purple amaranth a try, you’ll find it refreshingly easy to grow. This plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, though it’s quite adaptable to various soil conditions. In fact, it seems to prefer slightly disturbed or poor soils over rich, heavily amended garden beds.

Purple amaranth can be grown in USDA hardiness zones 3-11 as an annual. Since it completes its entire life cycle in one season, cold hardiness isn’t much of a concern – just plant after your last frost date.

Planting and Maintenance Tips

Getting purple amaranth started is straightforward:

• Sow seeds directly in the garden after the last frost
• Scatter seeds on prepared soil and lightly rake in
• Keep soil moist until germination (usually within 7-14 days)
• Once established, water only during extended dry periods
• No fertilization needed – it actually prefers lean conditions

The plant will self-sow readily, so expect volunteer plants the following year if you allow seeds to mature and drop.

Garden Design Role

Purple amaranth works well in informal, naturalized areas of the garden or as part of an edible landscape. It’s particularly useful for filling in disturbed areas or as a quick ground cover while other plants establish. Some gardeners appreciate it in kitchen gardens for its edible qualities, using the young leaves like spinach.

Just remember that as a non-native species, it’s worth balancing its presence with native plants that support local wildlife and maintain ecological connections in your landscape.

The Bottom Line

Purple amaranth is a practical, low-maintenance annual that can serve specific purposes in the right garden setting. While it may not be the most glamorous addition to your landscape, its resilience and edible qualities make it worth considering for gardeners interested in easy-care, functional plants. Just be sure to explore native alternatives that might provide similar benefits while supporting your local ecosystem.