Chenopodium amaranticolor
Tree spinach, Magenta lamb's quarters
Also known as Chenopodium giganteum
- Height × spread
- 2m × 1m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
An exotic plant that is a fast growing annual which has culinary uses. It makes a big, rather loose-limbed plant that can tower a couple of metres in height. The leaves are good-sized with noticeably toothy edges and are somewhat triangular in shape. They are green but have a variable magenta suffusion, particularly on the young growth. It is grown from seed. The seed itself can be ground to make a flour that can be eaten. The leaves are often bought in specialist shops and can be cooked. They are said to be similar to spinach or chard and can be used the same way. It is handsome when used simply as a garden ornamental with exceptional foliage. There are small clusters of purple flowers in late summer and autumn that are of minor ornamental value.
- Flower colour
- Purple
- Foliage colour
- Green, Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Cone
- Height
- 2m
- Spread
- 1m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Wild flower meadow, Herb garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover
- Hazards
- No
- Pet safe
- Yes – listed in our pet-safe plants
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.