Amaranth ‘Opopeo’

Amaranthus cruentus

Features

  • Easy to grow
  • Edible
  • Foliage & Filler
  • Heat-loving
  • Medium producer

Description

One of the most productive and easy-to-grow summer fillers you can find, this towering beauty is the best dark variety of amaranth on the market. The large, rich burgundy-toned stems add a unique textural quality to arrangements. While the underside of the leaf is dark, the top side is a dusty plum.

Details

Plant type: annual
Height: 36 to 48 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 65 to 75 days
Plant spacing: 12 in
Pinch: when 12 in tall

Seed Sowing & Growing Notes

Start seed indoors in trays 4 to 6 weeks before last frost; transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Amaranth can also be direct-seeded into the garden once all danger of frost has passed.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Harvest when seed heads are about three-quarters of the way open. Remove most of the foliage so the colorful spikes are more visible. Expect a vase life of 7 to 10 days.

Details

Description

One of the most productive and easy-to-grow summer fillers you can find, this towering beauty is the best dark variety of amaranth on the market. The large, rich burgundy-toned stems add a unique textural quality to arrangements. While the underside of the leaf is dark, the top side is a dusty plum.

Details

Plant type: annual
Height: 36 to 48 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 65 to 75 days
Plant spacing: 12 in
Pinch: when 12 in tall

Seed Sowing & Growing Notes

Start seed indoors in trays 4 to 6 weeks before last frost; transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Amaranth can also be direct-seeded into the garden once all danger of frost has passed.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Harvest when seed heads are about three-quarters of the way open. Remove most of the foliage so the colorful spikes are more visible. Expect a vase life of 7 to 10 days.

Sources

How to Grow

Seed-Saving Mini Course

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In our upcoming free, three-part video series, you’ll learn everything you need to know to save seeds on a home scale, including how plants are pollinated and isolation techniques to ensure varieties come back true, how to tell when plants are ready to pick and how to harvest the seeds, and how to properly dry, clean, and store seeds long term.