Amaranth

Amaranth that is also called an Amaranthus is an annual plant with many varieties. Both in its purple and bleached version, amaranth makes a charming decoration for autumn and winter interiors. It can be used in the creation of wreaths and reeds, as well as to compose an original bouquet. Although it can be found almost all over the world, it originally came from South America, where it was one of the main varieties. Its beneficial properties are well known, as the seeds have an extremely high energy value and can be used as a spice or to make flour. 

Amaranth 

Amaranth (Amaranthus caudatus) is an annual plant native to South America. Because it was an important part of the menu of the indigenous inhabitants of the continent, it is known as the “Gold of the Incas”. Today, amaranth, also known as amaranthus, is common in the intertropical zone. In the wild, it is found in the Americas, Asia and Africa. In Poland, it is cultivated as an ornamental plant. It can be found in gardens, flowerbeds or parks. In addition, amaranthus is valued in floristics. Its beautiful, intensely coloured inflorescences can provide a distinctive accent to many compositions. Particularly noteworthy is the preserved amaranth, which is perfect for dry bouquets, garlands and other handmade decorations.

What does amaranthus look like?

Amaranth is a plant that grows up to 100 cm tall. It is quite branched, so it is important to keep enough distance between the seeds when sowing them into the ground. On the erect, stiff stems are set egg-shaped, pointed leaves in dark green. At the top of the stem the leaves become more elongated, lanceolate. On the tops of the stems and in the corners of the upper leaves, pendulous spikes of densely covered small purple or green flowers emerge, providing great aesthetic value, both in the bed and in bouquets. It's worth bearing in mind, however, that the hanging amaranth blooms from July until late autumn - it is not cold hardy. As soon as the temperature starts to drop below 5 degrees Celsius, the plant dies off.

Amaranth under natural conditions and in cultivation

Under natural conditions, amaranthus in the intertropical zone. Only a few varieties of the plant are found in Europe. As it is a thermophilic species, it mainly inhabits the southern areas of the Old Continent. At the same time, amaranth can be considered a cosmopolitan plant. Under the right conditions, it grows very quickly, producing a very large number of seeds which, unlike vegetative forms, are resistant to low temperatures. For this reason, amaranth is considered a weed in many parts of the world.

In Europe, amaranth has gained popularity fairly recently. Today, it is mainly found in gardens. It looks great in beds in both rustic and modern gardens. Amaranths are also increasingly appearing in parks and squares. Their advantage is that they do not require special growing conditions. They grow best in fertile and permeable soils fed with biohumus or compost, as the species does not tolerate artificial fertilisers. When planning the positioning of plants in the garden, it is advisable to reserve a warm, sunny spot sheltered from gusts of wind for amaranth. Note that the plant tolerates drought very badly, so daily watering may be necessary during the summer.

Uses of amaranthus 

Amaranth is not only an ornamental plant, but also a useful one. Amaranth seeds are used to make gluten-free flour, so suitable for people with coeliac disease. They are also prized for their very high protein content - including essential amino acids and fibre. In addition, amaranth seeds are a source of squalene, which is helpful in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders. Until recently, this substance was only extracted from the pituitary gland of sharks and whales. Environmentalists therefore claim that amaranth crops can help save marine animals from extinction. In addition, amaranth absorbs twice as much carbon dioxide as other plants, which in turn could help to combat the greenhouse effect.

Amaranth is also an excellent plant for dry bouquets. It looks great solo - placed in a simple glass vase. In this form, it makes a great decoration for modern spaces. As it is available in pink, light pink, blue as well as a bleached version, it works strikingly with most dried plants. It can be combined with dried palm leaves, physalis or thistle. It will successfully complete bouquets in which hydrangea plays a central role. In combination with bleached fennel and lunaria, it will create an interesting composition with a boho note. It will also look beautiful in the company of cotton and protea. Hanging amaranth can be combined with grasses. In this way, it allows you to create interesting compositions to decorate residential and commercial spaces. It is also used for bridal bouquets and decorative garlands.

Dried amaranth at Blosmi

Pink, light pink, blue and bleached amaranth are available at Blosmi. All of them are preserved plants, which means that they are durable and at the same time stand out for their flexibility. Stabilisation also prevents the flowers from drooping too much. Amaranthus is offered in bunches weighing approximately 150 g. The length of the stems is approx. 70 cm. The plant is carefully protected for shipping.