Amaranthus Species, Chinese Spinach, Fountain Plant, Joseph's Coat, Summer Poinsettia
Amaranthus tricolor
| Family: | Amaranthaceae |
| Genus: | Amaranthus (am-uh-RANTH-us) (Info) |
| Species: | tricolor (TRY-kull-lur) (Info) |
| Synonym: | Amaranthus gangeticus |
| Synonym: | Amaranthus mangostanus |
| Synonym: | Amaranthus polygamus |
Category:
Vegetables
Herbs
Water Requirements:
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Foliage:
Herbaceous
Smooth
Foliage Color:
Height:
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Spacing:
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Where to Grow:
Danger:
Bloom Color:
Inconspicuous/none
Bloom Characteristics:
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting:
Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Clovis, California
Merced, California
Golden, Colorado
Clinton, Connecticut
Bartow, Florida
Brooksville, Florida
Sebastian, Florida
Carrollton, Georgia
Sandpoint, Idaho
Spring Valley, Illinois
Halifax, Massachusetts
Salem, Massachusetts
Flint, Michigan
Pinconning, Michigan
Clifton, New Jersey
Rochester, New York
Utica, New York
Cincinnati, Ohio
Bethel Park, Pennsylvania
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Denver, Pennsylvania
Mercer, Pennsylvania
Germantown, Tennessee
Kingsport, Tennessee
Rockwood, Tennessee
Abilene, Texas
Fort Worth, Texas
Houston, Texas
Humble, Texas
La Marque, Texas
Lubbock, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
Provo, Utah
Falling Waters, West Virginia
Liberty, West Virginia
Orma, West Virginia
show allGardeners' Notes:
| Rating | Content |
|---|---|
| Positive | On Aug 16, 2014, Ceceliajune from Bethel Park, PA wrote: My summer poinsettia is gorgeous, but I'm afraid to take it off the porch for fear the deer will eat it. Does anyone know if it is deer resistant? |
| Positive | On Jun 10, 2013, Bhead wrote: I live in upper east Tn. (Kingsport, Tn near Bristol) and got a seed in with another plant a friend in Bristol had given me. When it came up she told me it was called Summer Poinsettia. I love how it reseeds and I never know where it will come up. It is such a unique plant and I love that it is at it's best in the hottest part of the summer. It is not aggressive at all in my garden but very easy to pull out if it is where I don't want it. |
| Neutral | On Sep 19, 2011, GwenTn from Rockwood, TN wrote: Have had success growing this plant. Love, love this plant! - - but so do the deer. |
| Neutral | On Mar 29, 2011, muttlover from Marysville, OH (Zone 5b) wrote: I've never seen it in real life, but the University of IL Extension service has an on-line video where they are recommending it for longer lasting color in the back of gardens. I was surprised because I thought it was strictly a southern plant, but the U of I guy said it's an annual (assuming in IL) that reseeds very heavily so you have a show continuing the next years too. |
| Neutral | On Jan 31, 2011, Sanshapiro from Encinitas, CA wrote: Does anyone have experience using the leaves or seeds as food (for humans) ? |
| Positive | On Aug 22, 2010, wvisbeautiful from Orma, WV wrote: I grew the Joseph's Coat here in central WV for the first time this year. It was spectacular and is continuing to form new flowers along the stem. I'd like to collect the seeds to sow more freely next year but I'm not sure how to "bag the seed head". Any advice? |
| Positive | On Apr 18, 2007, passiflora_pink from Central, AL (Zone 8a) wrote: Unusual burgundy-colored seedheads. Striking appearance from summer into fall. I left the seed heads on into the winter for the birds. |
| Positive | On Oct 17, 2004, Retired99 from Sebastian, FL wrote: This plant can be seen at Disney's Epcot Garden and Flower Show each spring. That is where we fell in love with it. We just sow them directly into the soil and the plants seem to last through most of the summer. But, then they die back and actually re-seed during the end of the summer. Have not been able to keep them blooming on into Sept. and Oct. Does anyone else have this problem here in south Florida? |
| Positive | On Oct 16, 2004, ponderay from Sandpoint, ID wrote: Fast growing beautiful plant loves direct sun. Planning on planting more next spring. Does anyone have suggestions about caring for these plants during the winter season? Thank you |
| Positive | On Aug 21, 2003, DonBender from Clifton, NJ (Zone 7a) wrote: Beautiful colors. Have Joseph's Coat & Early Splendor. |
| Positive | On Jul 2, 2003, dejavu from Rochester, NY wrote: Gorgeous colors! |
| Positive | On Jun 27, 2003, tsue42 from La Marque, TX (Zone 9a) wrote: This plant is very easy to grow and definitely likes the humidity of the south. I have noticed that if it is planted where it receives direct sunlight all day it stays a beautiful fuschia color with the hot pink (flowers)tips at the top. I planted some in shade and some in full sun. The ones in the shade stayed green with yellow tops and pink tops. The ones planted in full sun have stayed the beautiful hot pink and fuschia. My plants are loaded with seed pods so I should have enough for years to come...definitely an oddity but beautiful to look at. My tallest is appx. 4 1/2 foot but the person I received the seeds from, has some that are appx. 6-7 foot and just gourgeous to look at. Definitely would make you proud to have it in your garden. I am hooked. |
| Positive | On Jun 27, 2003, loopee wrote: An easy to grow, full-sun loving plant. Grew very well in my garden which contained at least 50% clay soil. I live in mid-north south australia which is very dry and hot in the summer when the plant has excelled but now it has died off in the winter (we are a frost prone area). |
| Positive | On Oct 10, 2002, Michaelp from Piney Flats, TN (Zone 7a) wrote: Nice quick growing herb/not frost tolerant/can take lots of heat/real easy to grow/good flaver,eat as you would spinach/grows from seed on most soils,even poor soils/does not need much fertilizer or water.I think it should be grown more. |
| Neutral | On Sep 7, 2001, Schmetterling from Louisville, KY (Zone 6a) wrote: Grown more for its brilliantly-colored foliage than its flowers. The foliage can be red, yellow, or green in various combinations. |
