What it is
Leaf Amaranth (Callaloo) (Amaranthus tricolor) is in the Amaranthaceae (Amaranth) family. A summer spinach that thrives in the heat that kills real spinach. Cut it back and it keeps coming.
How to grow it
It wants full sun, water it low, and give it tolerant soil. Target a soil pH around 6.0-7.5. Space plants about 8-12 in apart. Expect roughly 30-50. Warm-season annual.
How it's used
Leaf Amaranth (Callaloo) is used: cooked greens.
🔎 How to identify it
- Broad colorful green/red leaves
- Upright leafy stalk
- Tiny seed plumes if left
Edibility
PartsLeaves and stems
UsesCooked greens
CautionContains oxalates; cook it.
🌤 Before you plant: check the live 7-day garden weather to time it right for frost and heat.
Part of the free Texas Roots plant database, compiled by Jordan Polasek from his greenhouse in El Campo, Texas. Free to read and share. If it helped, the best thanks is to grow something.