Leafy greens and brassicas · Moderate
Leaf amaranth
Amaranthus tricolor
NFT or growing medium, kept warm.
- EC (mS/cm)
- n/a
- pH
- n/a
- Cycle
- moderate
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Sound origin
Amaranthus tricolor
A vegetable amaranth native to tropical regions, now eaten cooked in Africa, India, China and Japan, where it withstands intense heat.
Source: Wikipedia
What it provides nutrients
Per 100 g, raw · Amaranth, leaves, raw
- Rich in vitamin K
- Rich in vitamin C
- Rich in vitamin B9
- Rich in potassium
- Source of calcium
- Source of iron
- Source of magnesium
% of an adult’s reference intake (EU Regulation 1169/2011). “Source of”: at least 15 % per 100 g, “high in”: at least 30 % (thresholds of EC Regulation 1924/2006).
Source: USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy no. 168385 (not in the Ciqual table)
Key steps
- Hot-climate spinach: grows well in full heat, when spinach bolts.
- Pinch the tops to encourage branching and harvest the young leaves.
- Green or red varieties.
- Eaten cooked, like spinach.
In which system?
| Tower | NFT | Growing medium | Kratky |
|---|---|---|---|
Approximate calendar
| Sowing | May, June |
| Plants | none |
| Harvest | June, July, Aug., Sept. |
Garden, patio, balcony: Belgian and northern French climate, earlier farther south. Estimates to adjust with your own dates.
Frequently asked questions
Hydroponic leaf amaranth: what pH?
No specific range is published for this crop in the Oklahoma State table: we do not force an unverified figure. Start from the common range of 5.5–7.0 and write down your results.
Hydroponic leaf amaranth: what EC?
Oklahoma State has published no value for this crop. Start low, watch the growth and record your measurements in a log.
Leaf amaranth: which hydroponic system?
Best suited: NFT and growing medium (Dutch bucket). NFT or growing medium, kept warm.
Leaf amaranth: when to sow in Belgium?
Indicative window for a garden, patio or balcony in Belgium or northern France: May and June. Adjust with your own dates.
- Mon Potager Hydroponique growing benchmarks