The majority of the species are considered weeds and a far cry from the plants with attractive bronze or purple leaves and tassel-shaped large flowers in striking colors that make amaranth a favorite for bouquets and cut flowers. The two purposes of growing amaranth are not mutually exclusive. The species grown for their large seed heads can be just as striking as those grown purely for their striking flowers. The five most commonly cultivated amaranth species in North America are:

Red amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus), native to Guatemala, Mexico Foxtail amaranth or love-lies-bleeding (Amaranthus caudatus), native to Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador  Slim amaranth (Amaranthus hybridus), native to Eastern North America, Mexico, Central America, northern South America Prince of Wales feather (Amaranthus hypochondriacus), native to Mexico Joseph’s coat (Amaranthus tricolor), native to Tropical Asia

Amaranth is a warm-weather plant that needs full sun. It can be grown as an annual in as low as in zone 2 (USA). However, in cool climates, summers are too short for amaranth seeds to reach full maturity. Most varieties take about 65 to 75 days to flower and then another 30 days or longer for the seeds to mature. If you are counting on both the flowers and the seeds, you need to be located in zone 5 or warmer. The ten popular Amaranthus plants outlined below are all cultivars of the above species.

Height: 3 to 5 feetSun Exposure: Full sunUSDA Growing Zone: 2 to 11Flower Color: Gold, burgundy

Height: 2 to 4 feetSun Exposure: Full sunUSDA Growing Zone: 2 to 11Flower Color: Magenta

The plant attracts songbirds that feed on the seeds.

Height: 3.5 to 4 feetSun Exposure: Full sunUSDA Growing Zone: 2 to 11Flower Color: Green and brown/bronze

Its unusual color makes it a favorite for cut flowers and bouquets. Both the young leaves and the seeds are edible.

Height: 4 to 5 feetSun Exposure: Full sunUSDA Growing Zone: 3 to 11Flower Color: Orange, tan

Height: 4 to 6 feetSun Exposure: Full sunUSDA Growing Zone: 5 to 11Flower Color: Magenta

Height: 4 feet on averageSun Exposure: Full sunUSDA Growing Zone: 3 to 11Flower Color: Orange, bronze

Height: 5 to 7 feetSun Exposure: Full sunUSDA Growing Zone: 5 to 12Flower Color: Magenta, purple

Height: 1 to 2 feetSun Exposure: Full sunUSDA Growing Zone: 3 to 10Flower Color: Green

Height: 1 to 2 feetSun Exposure: Full sunUSDA Growing Zone: 3 to 10Flower Color: Dark red, burgundy

Height: 1.5 to 5 feetSun Exposure: Full sunUSDA Growing Zone: 2 to 11Flower Color: Inconspicuous