Feathered Amaranth
The Feathered Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus) is a graceful cultivar of the Amaranthus plant family. A fast-growing and free-flowering annual plant, it is mostly grown in gardens for its impressive and ornamental, purplish-red foliage. Its distinctive foliage is made up of ruffled foliage arranged in a branching and upright clump reaching 2-3 feet in height or length. The blooms, which are individually small but numerous, are flowers borne on axillary clusters, and come in shades of pink, white, cream, yellow, and green. It blooms in mid to late summer, lasting for a couple of weeks before the plant matures and dies in fall.
Water the Feathered Amaranth when the top two inches of soil has dried out and water thoroughly. This plant will do fine with infrequent but deep soaking, as it will help its roots to dig in and spread out. When it is potted in a pot without bottom drainage, it is essential to limit the amount of water to help prevent the plant from becoming overly soggy and toppling over due to rot.
The Feathered Amaranth likes bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight in the early morning or late afternoon can be tolerated but too much direct sun exposure will burn and discolor its foliage. With ample light, the foliage will be a deep, deep purple; but with too little or too much light the foliage will be a paler purple or almost greenish. The Feathered Amaranth will also tolerate low-light conditions, but the foliage may become somewhat limp and dull. The light requirements of this plant can change over the season, so pay attention to the foliage and adjust accordingly.
The Feathered Amaranth does not do well in cold or winter temperatures and is generally best suited for temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit (10 and 21 degrees Celsius). During hot weather, it should be shaded to keep it from overheating and withering away.
This plant is very tolerant of low humidity, and is a great choice for arid climate homes or those that are heated during winters. Note that if the air in your home is too dry the leaves will start to droop and wilt. To help the Feathered Amaranth retain moisture in your home, consider increasing the air humidity around its pot by using a pebble or soil tray or placing its pot inside a bathroom during humid showers. You can also mist it with tepid water.
Feathered Amaranth prefers a light, airy, well-draining soil. A cactus or succulent potting mix that contains sandy loam, perlite, and pumice works best or you can create your own mix by combining equal parts of potting soil, potting mix, and coarse builder's sand. This will help the plant avoid root rot from overwatering and give it adequate drainage.
Fertilize your Feathered Amaranth once every month during the spring and summer when the plant is actively growing. Use a balanced fertilizer such as a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20, following the instructions on the package. During the winter, it is best to avoid feeding the plant and allow it to rest and recharge. You can also give your Feathered Amaranth a light feeding of liquid fertilizer every couple of months to help keep it healthy and looking its best.
The Feathered Amaranth is generally disease and pest-free, but it can occasionally be plagued by common houseplant pests. Aphids, mealy bugs, thrips and spider mites can be troublesome pests on this plant. To get rid of common pests, you can try spraying with a diluted dish soap-water mix or rubbing alcohol directly on the affected area. If the infestation is too severe, you may also need to use a stronger insecticide. To prevent these pests, it is a good idea to routinely examine the underside of the foliage of your Feathered Amaranth and spray the plant periodically.
Mature Feathered Amaranth plants should be repotted every two to three years. This is because the roots tend to become cramped and overcrowded and will need room to spread out and become established. When choosing a new pot, make sure that the new container has enough drainage holes to prevent waterlogging and has a size slightly larger than the current container to give enough room for the roots to spread out. Use a well-draining potting mix and lightly prune the roots before repotting.
The Feathered Amaranth can benefit from occasional pruning to keep its growth in check. You can trim away any dead or discolored foliage, shapes the plant to your preference, and even propagate new plants from the pruned pieces. Pruning should be done on a regular basis to help the plant remain healthy, provide a more aesthetically pleasing shape, and encourage further growth.
Mulching your Feathered Amaranth regularly will help the soil around its roots stay moist in the summer and warmer in the winter. You can use a coarse organic mulch such as bark chips, pine needles, or hay and make sure to keep it away from the crown and foliage of the plant.
Feathered Amaranth can be easily propagated from stem cuttings. Take a cutting 6 to 8 inches long from the tip of a stem. Strip off the leaves from the lower two inches and dip the cut end into rooting hormone. Insert into a small pot filled with a moistened potting mix and keep the pot in bright, indirect light. Keep the soil moist but not soggy and the cutting should root within weeks.
Feathered Amaranth will need some kind of support in order to stay upright as they tend to become top-heavy. You can use a cane or trellis to propp the plant up so that it does not become too lopsided.
Feathered Amaranth does not require a long winter rest period like some of the other houseplants. However, it will benefit from a short dormant period in which the amount of water it is given is reduced and the temperature kept cooler. This dormant period should last for 4-6 weeks and help the plant regrow with thicker foliage in the spring.
Yes, the Feathered Amaranth is toxic to cats, dogs, and other pets if ingested. The sap contains an irritant and can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. You should keep your pets away from the plant and be sure to keep an eye on them if you have this plant in your home.