Redroot Amaranth
Amaranthus retroflexus
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
Lynk media
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Amaranthaceae
- Genus:
- Amaranthus
- Species:
- Amaranthus retroflexus
- USDA Symbol:
- AMRE
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 200 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- green
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua), Bidens borer (Epiblema otiosana), Coleophora lineapulvella, Platynota nigrocervina, Scythris trivinctella, stalk borer moth (Papaipema nebris), Yellow-striped armyworm (Spodoptera ornithogalli)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in disturbed soils
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 3–14 days
- Notes:
- Requires light for germination. Seeds remain viable in soil for many years forming persistent seedbank.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI