Can I grow this in a pot?

Yes, it grows well in large containers with good drainage.

Does it need staking?

Taller varieties often benefit from staking to keep the heavy flower heads upright.

Plant guide

Love lies bleeding.

Amaranthus caudatus

Pronounced am-uh-RAN-thus kaw-DAY-tus

Also known as Amarant, Inca-wheat, Love Lies Bleeding, Love-lies-bleeding

Amaranthus caudatus — Photo by Courtney Tregurtha-Nairn (CC BY) via gbif

This striking plant is famous for its long, drooping tassels of tiny, deep red flowers. It adds a dramatic flair to any garden bed or large container. You will love how it catches the eye with its unique, cascading texture.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Annual
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 3 to 5 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 2 to 11
Bloom time: Mid summer to early autumn

Care

Give this plant plenty of sun and keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Watch for wilting, which is a clear sign it needs a drink, and provide support for the heavy flower spikes if they start to lean.

Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist, especially during hot summer days.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing season.
Pruning: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage the plant to keep blooming.
Repotting: Since it is an annual, you typically do not need to repot it.
Soil: Well draining, fertile loam
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 10 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Annual, typically 1 season.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Plant growth slows significantly during the growing season.

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non toxic, but raw leaves contain oxalates.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: The small seeds can be a choking hazard if left unattended.
Contact allergens: The foliage can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: Pollen may trigger mild allergic reactions in sensitive individuals during peak bloom.
Edibility: Ensure seeds are thoroughly cleaned and cooked before consumption to remove saponins.

How to identify it

Long, drooping, rope like flower spikes
Large, oval, light green leaves
Sturdy, upright, branching stems
Tiny, densely packed crimson flowers

Height: 0.6 to 1.8m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: green, purple, deciduous
Flowers: red, pink, green, 1 to 50cm
Fruit: brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

Aphids · Small insects that cluster on new growth and suck plant sap.
Damping off · Fungal issue affecting seedlings in overly wet conditions.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed
When to plant: spring
Overwintering: This is an annual plant that will die with the first hard frost. You can collect the seeds in autumn to sow again the following spring.
In containers: It grows well in pots, provided you use a container at least 30 centimeters deep.

Seed Sowing

1. Sow seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost.
2. Press seeds into moist seed starting mix but do not cover deeply.
3. Keep warm and bright until germination occurs.
4. Transplant outdoors once all danger of frost has passed.

Plant these in groups to create a dramatic focal point in the back of a sunny border.

Grows well with

Marigold · They help deter pests while providing a nice color contrast.
Zinnia · Both plants enjoy the same sunny, warm conditions.

Similar species

Prince's Feather · It shares the same genus and general growth habits but has upright flower spikes.

Science

Family: Amaranthaceae
Genus: Amaranthus
Order: Caryophyllales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Tropical regions of South America.
Conservation: Not of conservation concern.

It is a fast growing annual that quickly colonizes disturbed soil in warm climates.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, seed source for birds
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ornamental, edible greens, grain crop

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Can I grow this in a pot?: Yes, it grows well in large containers with good drainage.
Does it need staking?: Taller varieties often benefit from staking to keep the heavy flower heads upright.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Amaranthus comes from the Greek word amarantos meaning unfading, referring to the long lasting flowers. The species name caudatus means tailed, describing the long, hanging flower spikes.

Good to know

It is an ancient grain crop used by the Incas.
The name comes from the Greek word for unfading.
It thrives in poor soil where other plants struggle.

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This guide was generated with AI on October 27, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.