Amaranth 'Emerald Tassels'

Emerald Tassels (Amaranthus caudatus)

Emerald Tassels amaranth brings a vivid pop of lime-green to the garden, with long, cascading ropes of blooms that create dramatic movement and texture. These luminous tassels spill gracefully from tall, branching plants, catching the light and adding a fresh, modern accent to borders, large containers, and cutting gardens. Their chartreuse tones pair effortlessly with both soft pastels and deep jewel shades, making them an invaluable element in mixed arrangements. Easy to grow and tolerant of summer heat, Emerald Tassels thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, producing abundant blooms from midsummer through frost.

As the season progresses, the vivid green tassels shift to a warm, wheat-tan when dried, offering a completely different—but equally beautiful—look for autumn arrangements. This makes Emerald Tassels an especially versatile choice for floral work, pairing naturally with trailing companions like Coral Fountains and Love-Lies-Bleeding to create bold, layered displays. Whether used fresh for a vibrant summer bouquet or preserved for winter designs, the blooms hold their texture and presence. For the straightest stems when drying, harvest at peak color and hang upside down in a warm, dry space.

DETAILS:

QTY: 100

TYPE: Annual

SITE: Full Sun

DEPTH: BARELY COVER

GERMINATION: 7 - 10 days at 21 - 24°C

HEIGHT: 24" - 30” Support may be necessary.

MATURITY: 65 - 75 Days

SPACING: 12 - 15”

PINCH: Yes

HOW TO GROW:

Transplanting (recommended): Start seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before your average last frost date. Barely cover the seeds with a fine layer of soil or vermiculite, as they require light to germinate. To avoid displacing them, bottom water or mist gently. Harden off seedlings by growing them at night temperatures of 17–18°C before transplanting outdoors after all danger of frost has passed.

Direct Seeding (alternative): Sow seeds outdoors after your last frost date. Sow seeds thinly and barely cover. Once seedlings have developed their first true leaves, thin them to a final spacing of 12–15" apart.

Pinching and Support: Pinching the tops of young plants will encourage a bushier habit and more blooms. Taller varieties may require staking or other support to prevent them from flopping over.

Soil Preference and Watering: Amaranthus thrives in full sun and tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, but prefers well-drained soil. It is a heat-loving and drought-tolerant plant once established, but will perform best with consistent moisture.

Fertilizing: Fertilizing is not typically necessary unless your soil is very poor. Over-fertilizing, especially with nitrogen, can lead to excessive foliage growth and fewer flowers.

Harvesting: For bouquets, harvest amaranthus when the flowers are about three-quarters of the way open and the stems are firm. For drying, harvest when the flowers are fully developed and the seeds are set. Hang bunches of stems upside down in a dark, well-ventilated area until completely dry.