An annual plant known best for its long, drooping, red or gold tassels. Blooms from summer until frost. Genus name comes from the Greek word amarantos meaning unfading in reference to the long-lasting flowers of some species. The specific epithet is Latin for "tailed" and refers to the long, pendulous flower spikes. The soil should be kept moist. Set out plants after last frost. This plant is good in hanging baskets.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
Mature size
Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves are solid, blood-red.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Red/Burgundy
Flower value
Good Cut; Good Dried; Long-lasting; Showy
Flower form
Panicle
Flower detail
This plant has long, slender (12in) tassels/spikes of small, petal-less, red to gold drooping flowers. They bloom from summer until frost. This flower doesn't bloom until 3 months after sowing.