When to Plant Love-Lies-Bleeding Seeds
Love-lies-bleeding thrives in warm weather and cannot tolerate frost. It can be started indoors or direct sown outside after all danger of frost has passed.
Starting Indoors
Get a head start on the season by beginning love-lies-bleeding seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before your last expected spring frost date. Provide strong light and grow seedlings on at 65-70°F until ready to transplant outdoors
Direct Sowing Outdoors
Once nighttime temperatures remain above 50°F, sow love-lies-bleeding seeds directly in the garden. Successive sowings every 2-3 weeks will prolong the harvest.
How to Grow Love-Lies-Bleeding from Seeds
Follow these simple steps for gorgeous flowers:
Indoor Starting
-
Fill starter pots or trays with seed starting mix. Moisten well.
-
Plant 1 seed per cell, 1⁄4-1⁄2” deep.
-
Keep soil evenly moist and provide ample light.
-
Transplant outdoors after hardening off, spacing 18-24” apart.
Direct Sowing Outdoors
-
Prepare a garden bed with fertile, well-drained soil and full sun.
-
Sow seeds 1⁄4-1⁄2” deep and 18-24” apart in rows or clusters.
-
Keep soil moist until seeds germinate in 7-14 days
-
Thin overcrowded seedlings for proper spacing.
Growing and Care
-
Provide at least 6 hours of full sun daily.
-
Water regularly with 1-2” per week. Reduce if rains are frequent.
-
Stake tall varieties if needed.
-
Pinch back tips to encourage bushiness.
-
Harvest flowers for arrangements or drying when bloom tassels fully form.
-
Allow some flowers to go to seed for wild birds.
Troubleshooting Problems
Love-lies-bleeding is not prone to many issues when grown in the right conditions. Potential problems include:
-
Leggy growth – Increase light
-
Aphids – Use insecticidal soap or neem oil
-
Powdery mildew – Improve air circulation
With its exotic blooms and easy care nature, love-lies-bleeding is a sensational way to add bold color and texture to gardens and arrangements. Growing these tassel-forming beauties from seed is simple and rewarding. The stunning crimson waterfall flowers will be an eye-catching highlight all season long.
TO START EARLY INDOORS
A few weeks before the last frost date, plant seeds an inch apart in well-drained seed starting mix in containers or individual pots. Lightly cover and keep moist. As soon as the weather is warm and stable and before the seedlings get too crowded, move them outside to a bright area with lots of light. Spread seedlings out 18 to 24 inches apart or move them when they are big enough to handle. This will give the big plants room to grow.
This dramatic annual is easy to grow, sun loving and drought-tolerant. The large plants make striking garden companions to taller flowers like Sunflowers or Tithonia. Love Lies Bleeding’s draping flowers, which have a rich color and a unique texture that you can touch, make long-lasting focal points for large arrangements. Let some flowers set seeds in the garden to self sow.
Plant In |
Sun/Shade |
Planting Depth |
Space Seeds |
Days to Germinate |
Mature Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April – June | Full sun | Cover lightly | 3 – 4 inches | 7 -10 days | 3 – 4 feet |
Plant In |
Sun/Shade |
Planting Depth |
Space Seeds |
Days to Germinate |
Mature Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April – June | Full sun | Cover lightly | 3 – 4 inches | 7 -10 days | 3 – 4 feet |
Plant InApril – June |
Sun/ShadeFull sun |
Planting DepthCover lightly |
Space Seeds3 – 4 inches |
Days to Germinate7 -10 days |
Mature Height3 – 4 feet |
EASIEST TO START OUTDOORS
Garden soil that has been worked well should be used to plant seeds in full sun when the weather is warm and stable and there is no longer any risk of frost. Space tiny seeds 3 to 4 inches apart or as thinly as possible. Cover lightly and keep moist until seedlings emerge in 7 to 10 days.
Amaranth Love Lies Bleeding / Starting Seeds For Spring In Milk Jugs Easy…
FAQ
How do you plant Love-Lies-Bleeding from seed?
How fast does Love-Lies-Bleeding grow?
Can you eat Love-Lies-Bleeding seeds?
Why is amaranth banned in the US?
Can you grow Love Lies Bleeding from seed?
Growing love lies bleeding is also a great way of growing your own wild bird food – birds love to eat the seeds. Despite its exotic looks, love lies bleeding is easy to grow from seed. Either sow under cover in early spring for early summer colour or direct in the soil outdoors.
How do you grow Love Lies Bleeding?
Grow love-lies-bleeding in mildly acidic soil of a pH between 5.5 to 6.5. While it grows well in average, well-draining, and well-fertilized soils, some gardeners say it has the best color when planted in poor soil. Any light (sandy), medium (loamy), or heavy (clay) soil will do. If fertilizing the plant, use only organic fertilizer .
Is Love Lies Bleeding a good plant?
Love-lies-bleeding is ideal for English gardens, cutting gardens, but also cottage gardens. It is very low maintenance and easy to grow, so it is suitable even for beginner gardeners. As long as it gets direct sunlight and moderate watering, your Amaranthus will grow to its full potential.
Does Love Lies Bleeding reseed?
Love Lies Bleeding is an annual flowering plant. It does however reseed easily, and may confuse some gardeners if they see it growing again the next year. These second year plants are actually volunteers, which have reseeded, and which can be left to grow and use in flower arrangements.
