Species Powell's Amaranth
gold-green flowers on yellow stems

Powell's Amaranth

Amaranthus powellii subsp. powellii

Powell's Amaranth (Amaranthus powellii subsp. powellii) is a warm-season annual plant that is native to the southeastern United States. Also known as Woods Amaranth, this plant is easily identified by its broad, velvety, green leaves and tall, red-flowering stalk. It displays numerous small, yellow-green flower heads that may reach 1–2 meters in height. Powell's Amaranth has the potential to become a serious agricultural weed and should be managed with regular mowing in crops or pastures. It is an important source of pollen for native bees and produces thousands of seeds that can be ground into nutritious flour or used for forage. Powell's Amaranth is a beautiful, hardy, and versatile species of plant that has many uses.

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Cutting,Division,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Powell's Amaranth should be watered deeply and infrequently. Water this species once a week or so until the soil is moist about 4 to 5 inches deep. Plants in full sun and exposed to high temperatures will require more frequent watering. Make sure to keep the soil evenly moist, but not soggy.

sunlight

Powell's Amaranth needs a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight a day for healthy growth. However, areas with intense heat should limit the amount of sunlight to 5 to 6 hours a day. Generally, this plant species should receive full-sun on mornings and late afternoons. During the heat of the day, shade from the sun is recommended to prevent leaf types from scorching in high temperatures. Planting behind a tall object such as a fence or wall can also provide some afternoon shade.

pruning

Powell's Amaranth should be pruned twice a year; once in late spring and again in summer. Pruning should ideally be done when the plant is actively growing, which is usually in the late spring to early summer months. Start by removing dead blooms and deadheading the plant to maintain a neat and healthy appearance. Next, prune the plant back to encourage new growth and to keep the plant bushier. Remove up to 1-third of the length of the stems to promote bushy growth. Finally, monitor the plant to ensure that no more than 1-third of the stem length is pruned off. Pruning can also be used to control the size and shape of the plant.