Amaranthus cruentus Hot Biscuits (Amaranth) seeds

This magnificent variety of Amaranthus is a real show off!  Tall spikes of upright, tasselled flowers in a rich shade of copper rise above fresh green leaves from July to September.

Very easy to grow, the seeds can be sown indoors from February and outdoors in their flowering position from May.

Fabulous for both dried and cut flowers, this showy plant will quickly fill a gap at the back of the border as well as making a fabulous centerpiece for a summer bedding display.

Half Hardy Annual
Height: 1.5m, Spread: 60cm
Flowers: July to September
Position: Sun in well drained soil, sheltered from strong winds

Packet of 250 seeds

GROWING GUIDE

Sowing: 

Indoors: Sow from February to May on the surface of moist, good quality seed compost and cover with a very fine layer of sieved compost or vermiculite. Place in a propagator or other warm place and maintain a temperature of 19-23C.  Reducing the temperature at night will help germination which should occur in 10-20 days.  

Outdoors: Sow from May onwards in finely raked soil and keep watered in dry weather. 

Growing: When the seedlings are large enough to handle, pot up indoor grown seedlings into small pots (7-9cm) and grow on in cooler conditions in plenty of light but shaded from direct sunlight.  When the plants are large enough, gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions before planting out in a sunny spot in well drained soil.

Pinch out the growing tips to encourage bushiness and keep well watered.  Plants may need some support in strong winds.