The Amaranth Edible Red Leaf, 'Amaranthus tricolor', is a heat loving summer green that is even more nutritious than spinach or beet greens. This plant is showy enough for blower beds with its coleus appearance. The flavorful foliage has a hearty spinach flavor that is sweet and slightly tangy. Amaranth loves the heat and is a favorite source of salad greens when other spring green crops have all been harvested. Amaranth can be steamed, stir fried, or sauteed. Mix Edible Red Leaf Amaranth with spaghetti sauce, rice, or meatloaf for added taste.
The medium green oval leaves are overlaid with burgundy red stars that make this plant look a bit like coleus. This plant is known as Callaloo in the Caribbean, Bhaji in India and is also known as Joseph's Coat. Plant when soil temperatures are warm. Amaranth will tolerate most soils, but prefers light, loamy soils.