Variety field guide
What to expect from Red Spike Amaranth
Red Spike is an annual grain and dye amaranth selection grown for ornamental heads, edible leaves or grain where appropriate, dye types, and seed saving.
Read the complete product descriptionTraits, flavor, garden use, variety notes, and the full catalog record
Introducing the striking Amaranth Seeds - Red Spike, a vibrant addition to your garden that promises both visual appeal and culinary versatility. Its deep red flower spikes are not only stunning but also attract beneficial pollinators, making it a valuable asset to any garden ecosystem. The Red Spike variety is prized for its large, feathery blooms that transition from a rich burgundy to a brighter red as they mature.
About Red Spike
Red Spike is an annual selection of grain and dye amaranth, with an upright/erect habit and an expected height or spread of 61–72 in. It is best suited to ornamental heads, edible leaves or grain where appropriate, dye types, and seed saving. Notable traits include red coloring; harvest flower heads when seed is mature and begins to release with rubbing; young leaves are mild; mature seed has a nutty grain character.
Treat Red Spike as a named seed line with its own observations, not as a generic stand-in for the entire grain and dye amaranth crop.
History and provenance
Amaranths were domesticated and diversified in more than one region for grain, leafy greens, ornament, and dye. Species and seed-lot identity matter: Amaranthus tricolor leafy types should not inherit Mesoamerican grain-amaranth history, and culturally named dye lines require provenance beyond the name alone. Plant History – Red Spike Amaranth Before the world knew it as a bold ornamental, Red Spike Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus) stood as one of the great grain amaranths that fed ancient civilizations across Mesoamerica and South America. In the fertile valleys of what is now Mexico, Guatemala, and Peru, Indigenous peoples cultivated amaranth as a cornerstone crop long before the arrival of maize in some regions. Its vibrant red inflorescences were not only a sign of fertility and strength but a sacred emblem-its deep crimson hue symbolizing the life force that flows through all creation. Among the Aztec, amaranth was a crop of both body and spirit. The seeds were roasted, ground, and mixed with honey or agave syrup to make tzoalli, sacred cakes offered in ceremonies honoring Huitzilopochtli, the god of the sun and war.
Growing facts
| Scientific name | Amaranthus cruentus L. |
|---|---|
| Life cycle | Annual |
| Maturity | 80-89 Days |
| Germination | 5-10 Days at 70–85 °F |
| Seed depth | 1/4 in |
| Plant height / spread | 61–72 in |
| Growth habit | Upright/Erect |
| Spacing | 12 in between plants; 24 in between rows |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Soil | Loamy; pH 6.0–6.5 |
| Water | Moderate |
| Support | No-Support |
Starting Red Spike from seed
Sow 1/4 in deep and keep the seed zone evenly moist. Expect emergence in 5-10 Days when the seed-zone temperature is near 70–85 °F. Germination preparation: Use a fine, evenly moist seed-starting mix or prepared seedbed. Light requirement: Cover evenly to 1/4 in. Soaking: None required. Stratification: None required. Scarification: None required.
Planting and care
Plant during late Spring and provide full sun. Space plants 12 in apart with 24 in between rows. Use loamy with a pH near 6.0–6.5, and follow a moderate watering plan. Support requirement: No-Support. Frost response: Tender. Medium to large container or in-ground bed; avoid crowding
Harvest and use
Approximately 80-89 Days, from warm direct sowing to mature flower heads or dry seed. Weather, soil temperature, and planting method can shift the actual harvest date. Harvest: Harvest flower heads when seed is mature and begins to release with rubbing. Uses: Ornamental heads, edible leaves or grain where appropriate, dye types, and seed saving. Flavor: young leaves are mild; mature seed has a nutty grain character. Seed saving: Wind and insect-pollinated annual. Best uses include ornamental heads, edible leaves or grain where appropriate, dye types, and seed saving. Flavor and eating quality: young leaves are mild; mature seed has a nutty grain character.
Saving seed
Select several healthy, true-to-type Red Spike plants that match the expected upright/erect habit and overall plant form. Avoid saving seed only from the earliest or largest individual unless that is your deliberate selection goal. Pollination system: Wind and insect-pollinated annual. Amaranth can cross within compatible species and populations. Separate compatible varieties that may flower together, or use cages, barriers, hand pollination, or another documented control appropriate to the crop. Allow selected plants to pass the eating stage and reach full botanical seed maturity. Harvest only when seed heads, pods, or fruits have matured enough for sound seed development. Clean the seed carefully, dry it thoroughly away from direct heat, label the lot with variety and year, and store it cool, dark, and dry. Test germination before an important planting or distribution season.
Common problems
Common concerns: Leaf miners, aphids, flea beetles, damping-off, Cercospora or other leaf spots, and root problems in waterlogged soil. Management: Rotate crop families, remove badly affected leaves, improve airflow, and keep the root zone moist but not saturated. Diagnosis note: Similar symptoms can have different causes. Compare plants of the same age, record weather and irrigation, and use local Extension or diagnostic support before applying a control.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently Asked Questions - Red Spike
When is Red Spike ready? Use 80-89 Days. Approximately 80-89 Days, from warm direct sowing to mature flower heads or dry seed. Weather, soil temperature, and planting method can shift the actual harvest date.
How long does germination take? Expect 5-10 Days at about 70–85 °F. Cooler, hotter, crusted, saturated, or dry seedbeds can slow emergence.
How large does it grow? Expect about 61–72 in with an upright/erect habit. Space plants 12 in apart and rows 24 in apart. Support: No-Support.
Can it grow in a container? Medium to large container or in-ground bed; avoid crowding Use a container with drainage and enough volume to maintain the listed spacing and steady moisture.
Can I save seed? Wind and insect-pollinated annual. Keep compatible varieties isolated and allow selected plants to reach full seed maturity.
