General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Herb/Forb
Life cycle: Annual
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Preferences: Mesic
Plant Height: 4-6 feet
Plant Spread: 4 feet
Leaves: Unusual foliage color
Flowers: Showy
Flower Color: Purple
Red
Russet
Bloom Size: Under 1"
Flower Time: Summer
Late summer or early fall
Uses: Dye production
Salad greens
Cut Flower
Dried Flower
Suitable as Annual
Edible Parts: Fruit
Wildlife Attractant: Bees
Butterflies
Propagation: Seeds: Provide light
Self fertile
Needs specific temperature: 65-75F
Days to germinate: 3-14
Depth to plant seed: Surface to 1/16"
Sow in situ
Start indoors
Can handle transplanting
Propagation: Other methods: Cuttings: Stem
Pollinators: Self
Wind
Containers: Suitable in 3 gallon or larger

Image
Alternative cultivar names:
  • 'Komo'
  • 'Kómo'

Common names
  • Red Amaranth
  • Purple Amaranth
  • Mexican Grain Amaranth
  • Prince's Feather
  • Amaranth
Also sold as:
  • Hopi Red Dye
  • Amaranthus cruentus 'Hopi Red Dye'

Photo Gallery
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Date: 2020-07-20
Amaranth, Red Dye Hopi or Kómo, 6-7 foot tall plants

Date: 2018-07-13
Location: DeLand Florida
Date: 2014-05-15
Location: West Valley City, UT
Date: 2010-09-22

Photo courtesy of Annie's Annuals and Perennials
Location: In my garden in Kalama, Wa.
Date: 2008-09-21
  • Uploaded by Joy
Location: West Valley City, UT
Date: 2010-04-03
Location: My Garden
Date: 2012-09-12
Very strong self seeder.

Courtesy of Diane's Flower Seeds
Location: In my garden in Kalama, Wa.
Date: 2006-10-01
  • Uploaded by Joy
Location: In my garden in Kalama, Wa.
Date: 2008-09-21
  • Uploaded by Joy
Location: Lenore, ID
Location: Medina Co., Texas 
Date: September 2009
Amaranth, Hopi Red Dye
Location: Kalama, Wa
Date: 2010-09-02
  • Uploaded by Joy
Location: Kalama, Wa
Date: 2010-09-02
  • Uploaded by Joy
Location: Denver Metro CO
Date: 2013-08-04
Location: Denver Metro CO
Date: 2013-08-04

Photo courtesy of Annie's Annuals and Perennials
Location: In my garden in Kalama, Wa.
Date: 2006-09-30
  • Uploaded by Joy
Location: In my garden in Kalama, Wa.
Date: 2011-09-17
  • Uploaded by Joy
Location: Lenore, ID
This plant is tagged in:
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Comments:
  • Posted by jvdubb (48036 MI - Zone 6b) on Aug 27, 2014 7:49 PM concerning plant:
    A stunner in the garden that will make anyone walking by stop in their tracks! Very easy to grow from seed. Plant it once and you never will need to again! Prolific seeds are edible, for birds and humans!
  • Posted by Weedwhacker (Ford River Twp, Michigan UP - Zone 4b) on Feb 28, 2015 11:15 PM concerning plant:
    Amaranth leaves can be eaten like spinach and the tiny seeds used like grain for cooked cereal, popped like popcorn, roasted or sprouted. The seeds can also be used as a "meal" for making traditional dishes, including beverages. Red dye is produced from the flower clusters, leaves and stems. The flower heads can be used dried or fresh for flower arrangements, or left on the plants for the birds to enjoy; the flowers are also attractive to bees and butterflies.
  • Posted by Calif_Sue (Sebastopol, CA - Zone 9a) on Dec 7, 2013 3:14 PM concerning plant:
    The name of this amaranth came from the southwestern Hopi Nation custom of using it a dye plant.
  • Posted by bxncbx (NYC - Zone 7a) on Aug 26, 2014 7:38 PM concerning plant:
    I grew this for the first time this year and my plants are all about a foot tall. I started them from seed and didn't transplant them when I should have. I guess that stunted them? I also noticed that without regular watering and feeding, the foliage on my plants turns green with just a hint of red.
Plant Events from our members
lovesblooms On February 24, 2018 Seeds sown
winter sown
lovesblooms On January 15, 2017 Seeds sown
w/s
lovesblooms On July 5, 2015 Bloomed
lovesblooms On February 1, 2015 Seeds sown
winter sown
dnrevel From May 12, 2020 to October 17, 2020 Seeds sown
Grown in annual community garden. Showy, large plant with large seed heads.
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