When to Plant Amaranth in Alice Springs, Arid / Semi-Arid Guide
Sow August to April. Right now in September you can sow.
Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
This Amaranth guide is written for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, which takes in Alice Springs, Broken Hill and Port Augusta. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Amaranth is a heat-loving leafy green and grain crop originating from Central America, now widely grown across tropical and subtropical Australia. Leaf amaranth varieties produce abundant, nutritious greens rich in iron, calcium and vitamins A and C. It thrives where lettuce and spinach bolt, making it the go-to summer green for warm climates.
Planting Calendar for Arid / Semi-Arid
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S/T/D | S/T/D | S/T/D | T | - | - | - | S/T/D | S/T/D | S/T/D | S/T/D | S/T/D |
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
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Current Growing Conditions
Soil temperature: 22.7°C (optimal range: 18–35°C) ✓ Ready to plant
Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Alice Springs), not a live sensor.
How to Grow Amaranth in Arid / Semi-Arid Australia
When to Plant
Sow September-November and again February-March (avoiding extreme summer heat >40C). Irrigate consistently.
- Soil
- Well-drained, fertile loam enriched with compost. Tolerates a wide range of soils including sandy and clay, provided drainage is adequate.
- pH Range
- 6.0-7.5
- Sunlight
- Full sun (minimum 6-8 hours). Will tolerate light afternoon shade in extreme heat.
- Spacing
- 25cm apart, 45cm between rows
- Watering
- Water deeply 2-3 times per week once established. Drought tolerant once mature but produces best leaf quality with consistent moisture. Avoid waterlogging. Drip irrigation preferred.
Companion plants: Corn, Tomato, Eggplant, Lettuce (amaranth provides shade), Marigold
Avoid planting near: Brassicas (nutrient competition), Fennel
Arid / Semi-Arid Growing Tips for Amaranth
Recommended Varieties
- Golden Giant
- Red Leaf
- Plainsman (grain, drought tolerant)
Key Challenges
- Extreme heat above 40C can stress even amaranth
- Water availability critical
- Hot dry winds desiccate young plants
Pro Tips
- Amaranth is one of the most heat-tolerant leafy greens and genuinely suited to arid conditions
- Provide afternoon shade cloth (30%) during peak summer
- Deep mulching essential to conserve soil moisture
Harvesting Amaranth
When ready: Leaf amaranth: harvest when leaves are 10-15cm long for baby greens, or let plants reach 30-40cm for full-size leaves. Grain amaranth: harvest when seed heads droop and seeds fall easily when rubbed.
How to harvest: Cut-and-come-again: cut leaves or tops 10cm above ground level and plants will reshoot. For grain: cut entire seed heads, dry in paper bags, thresh by rubbing between hands.
Common Amaranth Pests in Arid / Semi-Arid Zones
Organic prevention: Companion plant with marigolds and basil. Maintain good garden hygiene. Remove amaranth family weeds. Delay planting until soil is warm; vigorous seedlings outgrow damage.
Where to next
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Open the planting dashboard Join Garden BuddyCommon Questions About Amaranth
When do you plant amaranth in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Apr to Aug
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Jan to Apr, Aug to Dec
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Jan to Mar, Sep to Dec
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Jan to Mar, Sep to Dec
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): Jan, Oct to Dec
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Jan to Apr, Aug to Dec
- Mediterranean (Perth): Jan to Mar, Sep to Dec
Does amaranth grow all year round in Alice Springs?
No. In the Arid / Semi-Arid zone the planting months are Jan to Apr, Aug to Dec. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.
Which zone am I in?
Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, Alice Springs is its reference city.