Hopi Red Dye Amaranth
Item Details
A commanding presence in the garden, this heirloom amaranth grows 4½-6' tall with a showy display of dark purple-green leaves, solid purple stems, and long, draping deep purple-red inflorescences. Used for dye or as an ornamental, it comes to Seed Savers Exchange through Native Seeds/SEARCH, which notes this variety was collected in the lower area of Moenkopi, Arizona. The Hopi people make a natural scarlet food dye from the flower bracts to color piki bread. It flowers in mid-to-late-June at our Heritage Farm headquarters in northeast Iowa.
- Organic
- From the Collection
- Stunning ornamental
- Grows 4 1/2-6' tall
Growing Instructions
Instructions - Sow seeds indoors just beneath the surface of the soil. Plant out into average well-drained soil after the danger of frost has passed. Good cutting flower, fresh or dried.
- Start Indoors: 6-8 weeks before last frost
- Germination: 7-10 Days
- Plant Outdoors: 12-18” Apart
- Light: Sun/Partial Shade
Ratings & Reviews
3 reviews
Easy to grow and beautiful!
by Conroe, Texas
Have grown these for a couple of years now and they are a lot of fun, and beautiful! About 6 ft. tall. They are easy growers and do not require a lot of maintenance - just my kind of plant! I have a few mixed in with my tomatoes and cucumbers, and no one seems to be mind. Beware when they go to seed - you will have a million of them! Enjoy!
Lovely Amaranth
by Daphney
SSE’s Amaranth is a beautiful plant that loves full sun & grows tall. Last season I grew amaranth in 2ft deep pots. SE IA had a drought, but the Amaranth didn’t falter. I got baby leaves for salads, stir fries & pesto. I don’t eat the seeds b/c I give the seeds to my pet birds & wild birds. Planting in pots allows me to move the amaranth by the bird feeders. The juncos are fans.
Easy to grow, beautiful and low maintenance
by Julie k
These grew so well from seed. The ones I planted on the south side of my house are 6’ tall. East side 2-5’ tall. They look tropical and stunning. Beautiful red color.