Fringed Amaranth Plant Care

Amaranthus fimbriatus (Torr.) Benth. ex S.Watson

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Amaranthus fimbriatus is a species of glabrous flowering plant in the Amaranthaceae family. It is commonly known as fringed amaranth or fringed pigweed.

🌻Annuals
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Fringed Amaranth?

Plant Fringed Amaranth in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 13a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C). Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Fringed Amaranth Native To?

Native range3 countries

What Is the Fringed Amaranth?

Fringed Amaranth (Amaranthus fimbriatus) belongs to the Amaranthaceae family within the Amaranthus genus. Fringed Amaranth is native to North America and in Mexico.

Fringed Amaranth displays an upright, bushy growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Fringed Amaranth produces small, inconspicuous flowers in dense clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Fringed Amaranth?

Water a young or newly planted Fringed Amaranth every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–10 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Fringed Amaranth Need?

Fringed Amaranth thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Fringed Amaranth Prefer?

Amaranthus fimbriatus tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Fringed Amaranth prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

60–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Fringed Amaranth?

Well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Fringed Amaranth to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Fringed Amaranth?

Feed Fringed Amaranth every 4 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 4 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Fringed Amaranth?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Fringed Amaranth is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Fringed Amaranth?

Fringed Amaranth can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 4 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Fringed Amaranth?

Prune Fringed Amaranth while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

How Do You Care for a Fringed Amaranth in Winter?

Fringed Amaranth is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Fringed Amaranth?

Fringed Amaranth can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to southern amaranth plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Fringed Amaranth Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Fringed Amaranth, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Fringed Amaranth?

Fringed Amaranth is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Fringed Amaranth Need?

Fringed Amaranth grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Fringed Amaranth is native to North America and in Mexico. In cooler regions, grow Fringed Amaranth as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Fringed Amaranth is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Amaranthus genus — compare its care with other Amaranthus species on PlantoScan.

Amaranthus is part of the Amaranthaceae plant family — browse all Amaranthaceae genera and species.

Fringed Amaranth thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Amaranthus Species

Other Amaranthus species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Amaranthus fimbriatus (Torr.) Benth. ex S.Watson, family Amaranthaceae (first published in Bot. California 2: 42 (1880)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Fringed Amaranth, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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