Santa Fe Botanical Garden

Common name: 'Hopi Red Dye' amaranth, amaranto 'Hopi Red Dye', komo

Family: Amaranthaceae (Amaranth)

Distribution: Cultivated

Life form: Annual plant

Occurrence in New Mexico: Cultivar

Growing Conditions: ‘Hopi Red Dye’ amaranth thrives in hot locations in full sun, and will not do well in shade. It is not particular about soil type as long as it is well drained, growing in acidic, neutral or alkaline sandy, loamy or clay soils. Seeds can be planted indoors 6 weeks prior to the last frost date or planted directly in the garden after the last frost. Plant seeds ⅛-¼ inch deep in groups of 3 seeds every 18 inches in rows 12 inches apart, and thin 1-inch tall plants to 6-12 inches apart. Although drought tolerant, it produces best with regular watering. This plant will self-sow freely, but some commercially available seeds are thought to originate from hybrids (Amaranthus cruentus and A. powellii) plants derived from their seeds may not resemble the parent.

Description: ‘Hopi Red Dye’ amaranth grows 4-6 feet tall (often less) and 1-2 feet wide. The green, burgundy or variegated oval or lance-shaped leaves are valued when young for salads. The somewhat drooping burgundy influorescence is 1-2 feet long. This self-fertile, wind-pollinated species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant). The species is more adaptable and flowers under a wider range of daylight hours than other amaranth species. Purplish-red edible seeds are produced by 110 days after planting.