When to Plant Amaranth in Canberra, Cold / Highland Guide

Sow October to January. Right now in September it is out of season. The next sowing month is October.

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 Cold / Highland zone, which takes in Canberra, Cooma and Bright. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Amaranth

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 Cold / Highland

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
T - - - - - - - - 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: 11.2°C (optimal range: 18–35°C) ✗ Outside optimal range

Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Canberra), not a live sensor.

How to Grow Amaranth in Cold / Highland Australia

When to Plant

December-January only, if at all. Better grown as microgreens or indoor sprouts year-round.

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

Cold / Highland Growing Tips for Amaranth

Recommended Varieties

  • Red Leaf Amaranth (microgreens only practical)

Key Challenges

  • Frost kills plants instantly
  • Season too short for meaningful outdoor production
  • Cool temperatures inhibit germination

Pro Tips

  • Grow as microgreens on a sunny windowsill year-round
  • If attempting outdoors, use cloches or cold frames from November
  • Focus on other leafy greens better suited to cold climates

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.

Where to next

Also worth sowing in the cold and highland zone this September: Sweet Corn, Beetroot, Chilli Peppers and Snow Peas.

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Common 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:

Does amaranth grow all year round in Canberra?

No. In the Cold / Highland zone the planting months are Jan, Oct 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 Cold / Highland zone, Canberra is its reference city.