Species Purple Amaranth
Green leaves with green veins and a green-yellow flower on a brown stem

Purple Amaranth

Amaranthus blitum

Purple Amaranth (Amaranthus blitum) is an edible wild plant found in most temperate zones. It has striking purplish-red leaves and flower heads, and grows to heights of up to 1.8m. Its edible small green seeds make a great addition to salads or as a nutritious grain salad. Its leaves can be eaten fresh or cooked like spinach, and lightly boiled stems can make a tasty veggie side dish. This plant is drought tolerant and thrives in poor soils, as well as sandy, arid climates.

Watering:

Frequent

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,yellow

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

watering

Small Alyssum should be watered regularly but in moderation. In the summer,water the plants every other day, allowing the soil to dry out before watering again. In the winter, water the plants about twice a week. Make sure not to overwater, as Small Alyssum can be susceptible to root rot.

sunlight

Small Alyssum (Alyssum alyssoides) prefers full sun exposure for at least 6 to 8 hours per day. The ideal environment for this plant species would be a bright, sunny window sill, or an outdoor spot that receives direct sunlight for most of the day. In areas with strong summer sunlight, providing a bit of afternoon shade can help protect the plant from excessive heat. Providing indirect light in the winter months is also ideal for this species.

pruning

Small Alyssum (Alyssum alyssoides) is a perennial species of plant that typically blooms in the early spring. It is a low-growing and mounding plant that features small, fragrant yellow flowers. Pruning should be done after blooms have started to fade, typically in early summer. This type of pruning should be minimal, removing dead or dying foliage only. During the growing season, only the tips of the stems should be trimmed to maintain shape and size. When the plant is done blooming for the season, a more extensive pruning can be done. Cut the plant back up to a third of its size to encourage new growth.

⚠️ Perenual and its members cannot be held liable for any health issues that may arise from the information provided on the website or from using any of the plants found on the site. The information provided is intended to be used as general guidelines only.