Vegetable Amaranth in Zone 8a & 8b
Amaranthus tricolor
Yes, vegetable amaranth grows in zones 8a and 8b. Plant it outside Apr 8–Apr 15.
When to plant vegetable amaranth in zone 8b
Zones 8a and 8b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. It doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 8–Apr 15 |
| Estimated harvest | May 18–May 25 (~40 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-2 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 8b
These go outside within two weeks of vegetable amaranth in zone 8b, so one planting day can cover them.
- TomatoApr 8–Apr 15
- Bush BeansApr 1–Apr 8
- Sweet CornApr 1–Apr 8
- CucumberApr 1–Apr 8
- ZucchiniApr 1–Apr 8
- Winter SquashApr 1–Apr 8
Vegetable amaranth is a warm-season leafy green grown for its tender leaves, sometimes streaked in red, pink, or yellow depending on the strain, harvested young rather than left to reach the height of the ornamental amaranths.
How vegetable amaranth fits zone 8's season
Zone 8b's frost-free window runs about 230 days, from March 25 to November 10. Vegetable amaranth needs about 40 days from sowing to first harvest.
Vegetable Amaranth planting windows in every zone
Zone 8b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3a & 3b | Not usually | Jun 13–Jun 20 | Jul 23–Jul 30 |
| 4a & 4b | Not usually | May 29–Jun 5 | Jul 8–Jul 15 |
| 5a & 5b | Not usually | May 24–May 31 | Jul 3–Jul 10 |
| 6a & 6b | Not usually | May 9–May 16 | Jun 18–Jun 25 |
| 7a & 7b | Not usually | Apr 24–May 1 | Jun 3–Jun 10 |
| 8a & 8b (your zone) | Not usually | Apr 8–Apr 15 | May 18–May 25 |
| 9a & 9b | Not usually | Mar 1–Mar 8 | Apr 10–Apr 17 |
| 10a & 10b | Not usually | Feb 13–Feb 20 | Mar 25–Apr 1 |
| 11a & 11b | Not usually | Jan 15–Jan 22 | Feb 24–Mar 3 |
Harvest dates are about 40 days after the sow or plant-out date.
Good companions
No well-established companions for vegetable amaranth.
Where to buy vegetable amaranth seeds
High Mowing Organic Seeds (each supplier's vegetable amaranth seeds)
Varieties we recommend, and where to get them:
- 'Red Leaf' vegetable amaranth: Johnny's Selected Seeds sells this as their full-size vegetable amaranth offering, known as 'red callaloo' in the Caribbean, comparable to spinach in taste. Buy: Botanical Interests Full notes
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing vegetable amaranth" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 8b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Vegetable Amaranth in USDA zone 8b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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