Love-lies-bleeding(Amaranthuscaudatus)usually has tiny blood-red, petal-free flowers. Blooms form narrowly, drooping tassel-like, terminal panicles throughout the growing season. Also called tassel flower, flowering occurs from mid-to-late summer and may also produce purple or gold flowers on flower strands hanging 12 to 24 inches long. Love-lies-bleeding has iconic red or pale green foliage and thrives in full to partial sun conditions, growing up to 5 feet tall. Its ideal conditions are moist, acidic soil and temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Benefits and Uses

Love-lies-bleeding seeds are edible and grown as a grain crop in parts of South America.1 It is also used in Africa to make beer, porridge, flour, and sprouted seeds are used as a vegetable in Peru and Ethiopia. It is gluten-free.2 Everlasting flowers retain their color and can be dried and included in attractive arrangements.