Germination: For best results, sow indoors 3 to 4 weeks before planting outdoors. Leave the seeds uncovered, and maintain a temperature of 70-75° F. Or sow outdoors after danger of frost has past, leaving seed uncovered. Indoors or outdoors, germination takes 10-15 days.

Growth: Space seedlings 12-24 inches apart in full sun. Amaranthus grows in any soil, but prefers one that is rich and well-drained. Water sparingly –– once established, the plants will not tolerate wet soil. Indoors, grow on at 65° F nights and 80-85° F days, in full light and moist, well-drained soil.

Appearance and Use: Brightly colored plants, 2-6 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide, may require staking. Tiny, insignificant flowers may be erect or drooping in tassel-like spikes of red or purple, blooming from midsummer till frost. Colorful foliage plants are used for barriers, borders, beds, or houseplants. The foliage may be dried; A. tricolor is sometimes eaten as Tampala.A. cruentus. Tan and cinnamon-colored foliage.A. tricolor. Red, green, and yellow foliage.A. caudatus. Red foliage.