Amaranthus cruentus

‘Velvet Curtains’

VELVET CURTAINS AMARANTH

Amaranthus cruentus ‘Velvet Curtains’
VELVET CURTAINS AMARANTH

Amaranthus cruentus ‘Velvet Curtains’ is a stunner for garden colour as well as edible value.

A wow for garden colour plus edible value

Amaranthus cruentus ‘Velvet Curtains’ wows with deep burgundy-purple foliage and deep crimson feathery plumes.
Giving the summer and autumn garden a lush, exotic, tropical look (though it does not need the tropics to grow), and an intense shot of rich colour.

Amaranth is a super-food
(& very decorative in the veggie patch & flower garden)

Amaranth has long been grown as a nutritious seed and vegetable crop, and is still a very popular product on the shelves of health food stores.

Gluten-free & versatile ingredient for cooks

So the young leaves of ‘Velvet Curtains’ are very rich in Vitamin C and iron and can be picked and cooked like Spinach.
Harvested fresh leaves are delicious in stir fries, steamed with lemon and garlic, or tossed into pasta and pizza.
While the seeds are gluten-free and very high in protein and calcium.

Spectacular plumes in the flower garden too

But ‘Velvet Curtains’ plants are just as spectacular in the decorative flower garden as it they are yummy in the edible garden.
The name says it all – they provide velvet curtains of deep crimson-purple colour with both foliage and flower.
Being tall, statuesque, and dramatic in late summer and autumn, when many other flowers have already faded.

Feathery plumes the colour of royal velvet

Amaranthus cruentus ‘Velvet Curtains’ impresses with very large feathery plumes of deep crimson-purple.

Superb cut flowers with sophisticated velvet colours

So the regal plumes give great texture and shape in a vase, and last so well as cut flowers.
They also dry well for use in long term arrangements.
So for preserving – hang them upside down in a dry place with no direct sunlight so they retain the deep colours for many months.
Amaranthus cruentus ‘Velvet Curtains’ is one of the best for drying, as it retains the rich colours so well.

Healthy source for calcium and protein for vegans & gluten intolerant

However it is the abundant seed heads that are the culinary prize, especially for vegans, vegetarians and the gluten-intolerant.
The harvested grain has a nutty flavour and is a rich source of calcium and plant protein.
With approximately 30% more protein content than wheat, rice, rye and oats.
Amaranth flour and grain is also used in the production of gluten-free bread, porridge, muesli and popcorn.

Tall & impressive colour plants

Plants of Amaranthus cruentus ‘Velvet Curtains’ rapidly grow into strong branching heads of plumes and foliage up to 1.2m. High.

Unfussy to grow

‘Velvet Curtains’ enjoy Full Sun and are not fussy about soil type, adapting well to even poorer, less fertile soils.
They are not water-guzzlers, though adequate, regular watering keeps them growing tall, strong and productive – so treat them like your veggies.
The stems are very stout and strong so they do not usually need staking unless they are in very windy sites.
Amaranthus cruentus can tolerate either humid or dry climates, as it originates from across both Guatemala and Mexico.

Quick & easy from seed to flower

Amaranthus cruentus ‘Velvet Curtains’ takes approximately 65-70 days from sowing the seeds to blooming.

Self seeds for next year

You can also leave a few plumes unharvested to go to seed at the end of the season – then your ‘Velvet Curtains’ will sow new plants for next year all by themselves.

Harvesting flowers for commercial floristry

For use fresh – cut the plumes when 3/4 of the flowers are open and still soft.
They have a vase life of approximately 10 days.

Harvesting flowers for dried floristry

For use dried – leave plumes on the plants a little longer – cut when seeds begin to form and the flowers are firm. Hang in a dry, warm place for approx. 10 days. Then they hold their colour and texture for many months.

Harvesting grain for cooking

Leave the plumes on the plants until autumn when seeds form.
Place a wide dish under the heads and gently shake and stroke. The ripe seeds will fall easily into the dish, then come back next week to harvest again.
Amaranthus cruentus ‘Velvet Curtains’ produces copious amounts of grain which can be stored in glass containers in the pantry (or any cool, dry place out of the sun) for future use. Delicious.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY

Very suitable for beginners & gardening with kids

Amaranthus cruentus ‘Velvet Curtains’ can be started very quickly from seed indoors, for a flying start for early and quick flower heads.
But do prick the seedlings out quickly from their punnet, as they quickly develop a long, strong root system. So they are great to do in Jiffy pots so they don’t need to be disturbed.

‘Velvet Curtains’ can also be very successfully sown direct into the garden in spring and early summer.
But you need to wait until day and night temperatures are quite warm to sow them outdoors, as the seeds love heat to germinate.

Sow indoors for quick & early plants: First sow the seed in a punnet on surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Then gently press the seeds onto the surface of the mix, to ensure good contact.

Now cover the seeds only very lightly, as these seeds need light for germination.
And you can use sieved mix, or fine grit, or vermiculite, or washed sand to sprinkle over the seeds.

Then place the sown punnet into a shallow water bath and allow the moisture to percolate up through the mix from the bottom to the surface.

Now place the moist punnet in a warm, well-lit position (not in any direct sun).

Amaranth love warmth to sprout

Temperatures of 17-22°C approx. are best for rapid and optimum germination.
And do use a temperature-controlled heat mat if you have one, to keep the heat up and encourage rapid germination.
A warm window-sill or well-lit corner is also fine once temperatures are warm enough.

Adding a clear plastic cover or plastic bag helps to retain consistent moisture in the punnet.

And continue to keep the punnet moist by spraying the surface of the mix with a fine spray water bottle as required.

Seedlings begin to emerge in approx. 10-14 days.

Seed Count: 200 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

A little plant history

The botanical name of “Amaranthus” comes from ancient Greek, and means “does not wither” – so very appropriate.
While “cruentus” comes from Latin and means “with a tail” – also appropriate.
Amaranthus have long been nurtured by farmers and gardeners for both nutrition and decoration, and is believed to have been farmed for over 5,000 years.
So of course Amaranthus have acquired a long list of affectionate common names, including Kiss-Me-Over-The-Garden-Gate; Prince’s Feathers; Foxtails; Tassel Flowers; Inca Wheat and Chinese Spinach – all well chosen names.

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