annualN. America Native

Prince's-feather

Amaranthus hypochondriacus

The Story

Plant Bio

Amaranthus hypochondriacus is a vigorous, upright herbaceous annual distinguished by its stout, succulent stems and bold, colorful foliage. In summer and fall, it produces dense, rigid, catkin-like terminal spikes of deep purplish-red or crimson flowers that stand high above the leaves.

The simple, alternate leaves feature deep green, bronze, or purplish tints depending on the strain. This species serves as an excellent warm-season focal point or cut flower, adapting readily to lean, well-drained soils in full sun.

Uses & Benefits:

Produces striking, upright spikes of deep red flowers and colorful bronze or purple-tinted foliage.

Yields high-quality cut flowers and edible seeds, and serves as a fast-growing temporary screen.

Provides pollen for native bees and beneficial insects, and seeds for local seed-eating birds.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Annual

Height

79"

Width

24"

Light

Full Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Water

Low to Medium

Humidity

Moderate to High

Lifespan

Annual

Native To

North America

Toxicity

Potential nitrate accumulation

Bloom period

Summer – Fall

In flower about 6 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Sow seeds directly outdoors after the last spring frost, or start indoors in plugs four to six weeks prior to planting out.
Select a site in full sun with fertile, well-drained loamy, sandy, or clay soil.
Space plants to support dense growth, which helps keep the tall, heavy flower spikes upright.
Water regularly to establish the root system, then reduce watering to match its natural drought tolerance.

Pro Tip

Keep nitrogen fertilizer lean; excess nitrogen causes top-heavy stems to lodge and leads to a dangerous accumulation of nitrates in the foliage.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Grow in full sun to ensure strong stems and vibrant foliage color.
Provide excellent soil drainage to prevent root and stem rot.
Handle young plugs carefully during transplanting to protect the taproot.

Don't

Do not over-fertilize with nitrogen, which weakens the stems and causes lodging.
Do not plant in waterlogged or poorly drained soils.
Do not prune the terminal flower spikes, as this is an annual grown specifically for its upright blooms.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Harvest
Pest Check
Plant
Winter Prep

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Cut Flower GardenAnnual BordersCottage GardensTemporary Privacy Screen

Companion Plants

Celosia argentea Muhlenbergia capillaris Helianthus annuus

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Prince's-feather questions

What zones can Prince's-feather grow in?

Prince's-feather is hardy in USDA Zones 4–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Prince's-feather deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Prince's-feather, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Prince's-feather bloom?

Prince's-feather typically blooms in summer through fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Prince's-feather need full sun?

Prince's-feather does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is Prince's-feather drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Prince's-feather handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.