Spreading Amaranth: A Lesser-Known Annual for Adventurous Gardeners
Meet spreading amaranth (Amaranthus crassipes var. crassipes), a curious member of the amaranth family that’s quietly made itself at home in scattered locations across the United States. While it may not be the showiest plant in your garden, this humble annual forb has its own unique charm for those willing to give it a chance.
What Exactly Is Spreading Amaranth?
Spreading amaranth is an annual forb, which simply means it’s a soft-stemmed plant that completes its entire life cycle in one growing season. Unlike woody shrubs or trees, this plant lacks significant woody tissue and keeps its growing points at or below ground level. Think of it as nature’s version of a one-season wonder – it shows up, does its thing, sets seed, and calls it a year.
Where You’ll Find It Growing Wild
This adaptable little plant has established itself across a surprisingly diverse range of locations in the United States. You can find spreading amaranth growing wild in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. That’s quite a geographic spread for a plant that originally came from somewhere else!
The Non-Native Question
Here’s where things get interesting: spreading amaranth isn’t native to North America. It’s what botanists call an introduced species – meaning it arrived here from elsewhere and has managed to establish self-sustaining populations. While it reproduces on its own in the wild, it’s not currently flagged as an invasive or noxious species, which puts it in a sort of botanical gray area.
For gardeners, this means you’re not necessarily doing harm by growing it, but you’re also not supporting local ecosystems in the same way you would with native plants.
Should You Grow Spreading Amaranth?
The honest answer? It depends on what you’re looking for. Spreading amaranth won’t win any beauty contests, and there’s limited information about its specific garden performance or wildlife benefits. If you’re someone who loves experimenting with unusual plants or you’re curious about the amaranth family, it might be worth a try.
However, if your goal is to support local pollinators and wildlife while creating a beautiful garden, you’ll probably get more bang for your buck with native alternatives.
Better Native Options to Consider
Before you commit to spreading amaranth, consider these native alternatives that offer similar or better benefits:
- Palmer’s amaranth (where native) – supports local wildlife
- Native wildflowers specific to your region – better pollinator support
- Local forbs and herbs – adapted to your local conditions
Growing Tips (If You Decide to Try It)
Since specific growing information for spreading amaranth is limited, you’ll need to rely on general amaranth wisdom. Most amaranths are fairly tough customers that can handle a variety of conditions. As an annual, you’ll need to replant each year or let it self-seed (though be mindful that it might spread beyond where you want it).
Keep in mind that its presence in such diverse climates – from the heat of Arizona to the humidity of Florida – suggests it’s quite adaptable.
The Bottom Line
Spreading amaranth is one of those plants that sits quietly in the background of the gardening world. It’s not going to transform your landscape or provide significant ecological benefits, but it’s also not going to cause major problems. If you’re drawn to botanical curiosities or want to experiment with different members of the amaranth family, go for it – just don’t expect it to be the star of your garden.
For most gardeners, though, focusing on native plants that support local ecosystems will give you a more rewarding and environmentally beneficial gardening experience. Your local extension office can help you identify native alternatives that thrive in your specific area.
