Love-lies-bleeding (Amaranthus caudatus)

Overview

Love-lies-bleeding, or Amaranthus caudatus, is prized in the garden for its truly unique and dramatic presentation. This annual produces long, narrow, drooping panicles of tiny, blood-red flowers that resemble cascading tassels, giving the plant its evocative common name. It is a fantastic statement piece, easily lending a tropical or Victorian flair to summer landscapes.

Amaranthus caudatus thrives as an easily managed annual, showing a low maintenance requirement once established. Its versatility allows it to perform well in beds, borders, or specialized containers where its trailing habit can be best appreciated. Gardeners are rewarded from July until the first frost with continuous long-lasting color.

Beyond its stunning aesthetics, the seeds of Love-lies-bleeding are edible, and the dried flower heads retain excellent color, making this Amaranthus caudatus an excellent choice for everlasting arrangements. Its Greek genus name, Amaranthus, references the unfading nature of its flowers, a guarantee of enduring visual appeal throughout the growing season.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Amaranthaceae
• Plant Type: Annual
• Native Range: South America
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 2-11
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 2-4 ft
  • Spread: 1-2 ft
• Bloom Time: July to frost
• Bloom Description: Red
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

Starting Amaranthus caudatus is best done indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last expected frost date, as these plants require a good head start to achieve their full potential. If you start seeds indoors, anticipate that flowering may not begin until approximately three months after sowing. Alternatively, purchase established starter plants and set them out only after all danger of frost has passed.

This dramatic annual prefers moist, average, well-drained soils. While it handles full sun, gardeners in hot summer climates should opt for a location that provides some afternoon shade to prevent scorching and maintain vibrant color. Space smaller varieties about 8 to 12 inches apart, allowing larger selections up to 18 inches for air circulation and growth.

Water needs are medium; maintain consistent moisture, especially during the early establishment phase. Amaranthus caudatus establishes quickly and exhibits good drought tolerance once mature. No significant pruning is usually needed, though staking might be necessary for taller specimens grown in exposed areas. Save seeds from mature seed heads if you wish to plant Love-lies-bleeding again the following year.

Landscape Uses

The trailing, tassel-like flowers of Love-lies-bleeding make it an exceptional plant for scenes viewed from above or against vertical elements. They are ideally suited for hanging baskets where the crimson ropes can cascade freely, ensuring the best view of the unique flower shape. They also add dramatic texture when incorporated into mixed container plantings, overflowing the edges of pots set on patios or decks.

In the garden bed, these tall specimens serve well toward the middle or back of borders, contrasting beautifully with shorter, mounding annuals or perennials. Their intense red color pairs strikingly with chartreuse foliage plants or silver-leaved companions. Using Amaranthus caudatus as an interesting, slightly unusual edging material along a winding path draws the eye along the garden structure.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy

Noteworthy Characteristics

Amaranthus caudatus commonly called love-lies-bleeding or tassel flower, gets its unusual common name from its tiny blood red petalless flowers that bloom in narrow, drooping, tassel-like, terminal and axillary panicles throughout the growing season. Panicles typically hang straight down to 12” (infrequently to 24”) long. This plant is an everlasting whose flowers retain good color when dried for arrangements, and the edible seeds are also eaten by birds. The specific epithet caudatus means having a tail in reference to the distinctive appearance of the flowers.

Tolerances

• Drought

Potential Problems

Gardeners should remain watchful for aphids, which can sometimes colonize the tender new growth of Amaranthus caudatus. Root rot is a significant risk if the soil drainage is poor, so ensuring an average, well-drained medium is critical for success. Furthermore, like many amaranths, this species can be susceptible to certain viruses, aster yellows, and fungal leaf spot diseases. Providing adequate spacing and avoiding overhead watering can help mitigate fungal issues, and larger plants grown directly in the ground may occasionally require staking support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Love-lies-bleeding suitable for?

USDA Zones 2 through 11 encompass the range where this annual can be grown successfully, though it will treat it as an annual in all zones except where frost is nearly nonexistent.

How large does Love-lies-bleeding grow?

At maturity, expect Amaranthus caudatus to reach a height between 2 and 4 feet, generally spreading between 1 and 2 feet wide.

When does Love-lies-bleeding bloom?

This striking plant flowers profusely starting in July and continues producing its signature red tassels until the first hard frost arrives.

What sun exposure does Amaranthus caudatus need?

Amaranthus caudatus performs best in full sun but appreciates a bit of part shade, especially during the intense heat of summer afternoons.

Conclusion

The dramatic, deep-red, cascading plumes ensure that Love-lies-bleeding (Amaranthus caudatus) remains a high-impact, low-effort addition to the summer garden. Its striking vertical and trailing habit provides excellent textural contrast in mixed plantings. Ensure you check your local frost dates and provide well-drained soil to enjoy these magnificent tassels from mid-summer onward.

Companion Planting

Selecting companions for Amaranthus caudatus should focus on plants that offer contrasting habits or vibrant complementary colors. Pair the deep reds and trailing form with upright, finely textured plants, such as ornamental grasses like Pennisetum or airy tall annuals like Cosmos. Lighter foliage, particularly bright lime-green varieties of coleus or sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas), makes the dark tassels of Love-lies-bleeding stand out prominently in a container arrangement or border edge.

Wildlife Benefits

While primarily grown for its appearance, Amaranthus caudatus offers subtle ecological benefits during its maturation phase. The genus Amaranthus is well-known for producing edible seeds, and these small grains are highly attractive to many seed-eating songbirds, especially late in the season. By allowing some of the terminal heads to fully mature and dry on the plant before cleanup, you provide a valuable late-season food source for local backyard wildlife.