Amaranth Seeds - Hong Kong Red
35-40 Days to maturity. Amaranthus tricolor. Hong Kong Red Amaranth Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, edible amaranth seeds. This crop is suitable for garden plots, raised beds, and containers. Hong Kong Red is a fast-growing Chinese spinach-type amaranth with round-to-oval purple leaves and narrow, bright green margins. Produces tender, nutrient-dense greens for stir-fries, soups, and braising in as little as 4-6 weeks. ~49,000 seeds/oz.
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Growing Hong Kong Red Amaranth in the Vegetable Garden
Hong Kong Red is a warm-season leafy amaranth that thrives in summer heat when many leafy greens struggle. Direct sow 0.25 inch deep after the danger of frost has passed, when the soil has warmed, spacing seeds 1-2 inches apart in rows 12-18 inches apart. Once seedlings are a few inches tall, thin to 6-10 inches apart, using the thinnings as tender baby greens.
Choose a sunny site with loose, fertile, well-drained soil. Keep the seedbed evenly moist until germination, then water regularly but avoid soggy conditions, which can cause root issues. Amaranth is relatively drought-tolerant once established, but steady moisture and a light layer of mulch help produce the most succulent leaves. Excessive nitrogen can cause very lush growth with slightly coarser texture, so aim for moderate fertility.
Harvesting of Hong Kong Red Amaranth
Begin cutting baby leaves and tender tips when plants reach 6-8 inches tall, usually about 20-30 days after sowing. Harvest individual leaves or cut leafy stems above a node to encourage branching and repeated picking. For one-time harvests, cut whole plants at the base around 35-40 days after planting, while the stems are still tender.
Hong Kong Red’s purple leaves with bright green margins cook down to a deep, rich color in the pan. Rinse well, then stir-fry quickly with garlic, sauté with oil, or add to soups and broths near the end of cooking. Light cooking softens the slight raw astringency and brings out the mild, nutty, spinach-like flavor.
About Hong Kong Red Amaranth Garden Seeds
Hong Kong Red is a Chinese spinach-type edible amaranth selected for vivid purple foliage, narrow green leaf margins, and vigorous, productive growth in warm climates. It fits into the long tradition of Asian amaranth greens, often known as yin choy or Chinese spinach, grown for tender, nutrient-dense leaves in hot weather.
With its fast 35-40 day maturity and decorative coloring, Hong Kong Red works beautifully in both kitchen and ornamental beds. Plants can be harvested repeatedly for baby greens or allowed to grow into small bushes for full-sized bunches, offering a dependable source of iron-rich, vitamin-packed leafy greens through the warmest part of the season.
Tips From Our Gardeners
"Think of Hong Kong Red as your summer spinach. Direct sow once the soil is warm, thin gradually and eat the thinnings, then keep plants well-watered but not waterlogged. Frequent light harvests of tender tips will keep plants branching, productive, and flavorful all season long."
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- Jerry Sawyer, True Leaf Market Writer |
Hong Kong Red Amaranth Seeds Per Package:
- 3 g Packet - Approximately 5,100 Seeds
- 1oz - Bulk - Approximately 49,000 Seeds
- 4 oz - Bulk - Approximately 196,000 Seeds
- 1 lb - Bulk - Approximately 784,000 Seeds
- 5 lb - Wholesale - Approximately 3,920,000 Seeds
- 25 lb - Wholesale - Approximately 19,600,000 Seeds
Basic Info
| Latin Name: | Amaranthus tricolor |
| Hong Kong Red Leaf Color: | Round to oval purple leaves with narrow bright green margins and colorful stems |
| Hong Kong Red Flavor: | Mild, nutty, spinach-like flavor; young leaves are especially tender and sweet, becoming more robust and slightly earthy with age |
Growing Info
| Hardiness Zone: | Annual 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 |
| Days to Maturity: | 35-40 days for full-size bunching; 20-30 days for baby leaves |
| Days to Germination: | 7-14 days |
| Seeding Depth: | 0.25 inch |
| Plant Spacing: | 6-10 inches |
| Row Spacing: | 12-18 inches |
| Plant Height: | 18-30 inches |
| Growth Habit: | Upright, bushy plants with colorful, broad leaves |
| Soil Preference: | Loose, fertile, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter; pH 6.0-7.5. |
| Temperature Preference: | Warmer 70-85 F |
| Light Preference: | Full Sun (tolerates very light partial shade) |
Other
| Direct Sow: | Yes, after danger of frost when soil is warm. |
| Start Indoors: | Optional; 3-4 weeks before transplanting in cool-summer regions, transplant gently to avoid root disturbance. |
| Plant Width: | 10-18 inches |
| Deer Resistant: | Moderate |
| Germination Temperature: | 70-85 F |
| Pests and Diseases: | Generally trouble-free; monitor for flea beetles, leaf miners, and aphids. Avoid waterlogged soils to reduce root and stem rots. |
| Primary Uses: | Stir-fries, soups, braising, steaming, sautéing, and baby-leaf salads; suitable for microgreens when densely sown. |
| Garden Size: | Garden Plot, Raised Bed, Containers |
| Climate Tolerance: | Heat tolerant and fast growing in warm weather; not frost tolerant |