Amaranthus tricolor

RHS Plant Profile
tampala

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Amaranthus tricolor?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
tampala RHS

Other common names

calaloo, Chinese spinach, floramor, flower-gentle, St Joseph's coat, three-coloured amaranth, callaloo, Joseph's coat

Synonyms

Amaranthus mangostanus
Amaranthus melancholicus
Amaranthus gangeticus
Amaranthus tristis

Annual Biennial

Has long been grown in gardens for its multi-coloured foliage. Flowers are insignificant, and plants may have a rather sprawling habit

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H2
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Amaranthaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Amaranthus can be upright or spreading annuals or short-lived perennials, with simple leaves and tiny flowers borne in dense, erect or pendulous, catkin-like inflorescences in summer and autumn
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

This bushy annual can be grown under glass in full light in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost, or grown in a sunny border in moderately fertile, humus-rich moist but well-drained soil once risk of frost has passed

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Sub-tropical
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to a virus