Heirloom

Emerald Tassels

Amaranthus caudatus

Photo: AnRo0002 · Wikimedia Commons · (CC0)

Harvest

65-75d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

3-5 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Emerald Tassels in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Emerald Tassels · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-drained loam; tolerates poor soil but prefers moderate fertility

WaterModerate; consistent moisture during establishment, then drought-tolerant once established

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorEmerald green (fresh), light tan (dried)

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	June – July	—
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	March – May	—
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	February – April	—
Zone 1	May – June	July – August	July – September	—
Zone 2	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 11	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 12	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 13	January – January	January – February	January – March	—

Succession Planting

Emerald Tassels keeps producing flowers and tassels over a long season once it's up and running, so you don't need to succession sow the way you would with lettuce or cilantro. One indoor start in February-March plus a direct sow in April gives you plants at staggered stages and carries you comfortably through until frost.

Complete Growing Guide

Fantastic color and texture for fresh bouquets or large containers. When dried, the blooms turn from green to a light tan color that works well in fall arrangements. Common names include amaranth and tassel flower. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, Emerald Tassels is 65 - 75 days to maturity, annual, open pollinated. Notable features: Use for Cut Flowers and Bouquets, Ideal for Drying and Crafts.

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Drainage: Good Drainage. Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Seed.

Harvesting

Emerald Tassels reaches harvest at 65 - 75 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

Type: Achene.

Edibility: Seeds, leaves

Storage & Preservation

Fresh cut Emerald Tassels keeps best in a clean vase with fresh, cool water changed every 2-3 days; room-temperature display extends enjoyment over 7-10 days. For longer storage before arranging, wrap stems loosely in damp paper towels and refrigerate at 35-40°F for up to 5 days.

The primary preservation method is air-drying: hang stems upside-down in small bundles in a warm (60-75°F), dry, dark location with good air circulation. Complete drying takes 2-3 weeks; dried flowers stored in a dry container away from direct light remain vibrant for 1-2 years. Alternatively, silica gel drying preserves color more intensely but requires more labor. For maximum lifespan, keep dried arrangements out of direct sunlight and high-humidity environments, as moisture rehydrates the stems and promotes mold.

History & Origin

Emerald Tassels is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: Ecuador to NW. Argentina

Advantages

+Vibrant green color adds unique freshness to bouquet arrangements
+Versatile for both fresh and dried flower displays
+Natural color transformation to tan enhances fall decorations
+Quick 65-75 day growth cycle allows multiple plantings
+Easy cultivation makes it perfect for beginner gardeners

Considerations

-Green blooms may fade or brown in direct intense heat
-Tall growth habit requires staking in windy locations
-Attracts spider mites in hot, dry growing conditions

Companion Plants

Marigolds and nasturtiums pull the most weight here — French marigolds like 'Petite Gold' secrete thiophenes from their roots that suppress soil-dwelling pests, while nasturtiums act as a trap crop, pulling aphids off the amaranth before they become a real problem. Sweet alyssum draws in parasitic wasps and hoverflies that handle soft-bodied pests without you doing much. Black walnut is the one to plant nowhere near this bed: juglone moves through the soil far enough that in our zone 7 Georgia gardens, a walnut at the back fence can affect a surprising chunk of your growing space. Sunflowers compete hard for the same vertical light and show some allelopathic effects on neighboring annuals — not worth the gamble at 12-18 inch spacing.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial insects

Lavender

Deters pests with strong fragrance and attracts pollinators

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial insects like lacewings and provides ground cover

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles

Catmint

Repels ants, aphids, and rodents while attracting beneficial insects

Zinnia

Attracts butterflies and beneficial predatory insects

Cosmos

Attracts beneficial insects and provides structural support

Borage

Improves soil and attracts pollinators while deterring hornworms

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth of many flowering plants

Eucalyptus

Releases allelopathic compounds that suppress nearby plant growth

Sunflowers

Compete aggressively for nutrients and water, may stunt smaller plants

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Minimal; occasionally spider mites in hot, dry conditions

Diseases

Rare; root rot if soil is waterlogged

Troubleshooting Emerald Tassels

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Fine webbing on undersides of leaves, foliage looking dusty or stippled, usually mid-summer

Likely Causes

Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) — thrives when temps exceed 90°F and humidity drops
Plants stressed by drought or poor soil, which makes them more susceptible

What to Do

1.Blast the undersides of leaves with a strong jet of water every 2-3 days — it knocks mite populations back fast
2.If the infestation is heavy, apply insecticidal soap or neem oil, making sure to coat the leaf undersides
3.Water consistently at the base; drought-stressed plants draw mites in much faster than healthy ones

Stems turning dark brown or black at the soil line, plant collapsing at the base

Likely Causes

Root rot caused by Pythium or Phytophthora spp. — almost always from waterlogged soil or a bed with poor drainage
Planting too early into cold, wet spring soil (below 60°F)

What to Do

1.Pull the affected plant — there's no saving a collapsed stem — and improve drainage in that spot before replanting
2.Amend heavy clay beds with 2-3 inches of coarse compost worked in before sowing
3.Wait until soil temps hit at least 60°F before direct sowing; Emerald Tassels hates cold, wet feet

Seedlings emerge then fall over at the soil line, often in patches across the flat or bed

Likely Causes

Damping off — a complex of fungal pathogens including Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium spp., triggered by cold, wet, poorly ventilated conditions
Overwatering seedling trays or sowing too densely

What to Do

1.Thin seedlings to at least 1 inch apart as soon as the first true leaves appear — crowded seedlings stay wet longer
2.Water trays from the bottom rather than overhead, and run a small fan near indoor starts to keep air moving
3.Use a sterile seed-starting mix, not garden soil, which carries these pathogens

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Emerald Tassels take to grow from seed to harvest?▼

Emerald Tassels matures in 65-75 days from planting, assuming warm soil (60°F+) and consistent growing conditions. This timeline assumes seeds are sown directly after the last frost date or transplanted as 4-6 week-old seedlings. Cool, wet springs may delay flowering by 1-2 weeks. For cut flowers, you can begin selective harvesting once tassels are fully elongated; for dried arrangements, wait until flowers mature fully and begin drying naturally on the plant.

Can you grow Emerald Tassels in containers?▼

Emerald Tassels is possible but not ideal for containers. At 3-4 feet tall, it requires a 5-gallon bucket minimum and becomes top-heavy unless heavily staked. Container-grown plants dry out faster and need more frequent fertilizing than in-ground plantings. If you must grow in pots, choose a 7-10 gallon container with drainage, use quality potting mix amended with compost, and stake securely. Partial shade is beneficial in containers to reduce heat stress and water loss. For most gardeners, in-ground planting yields superior, fuller plants.

Is Emerald Tassels good for beginners?▼

Yes, absolutely. Emerald Tassels is one of the easiest flowers to grow from seed. It tolerates poor soil, requires minimal fertilizing, and is rarely bothered by pests or diseases. The only requirement is waiting for warm soil before sowing—planted too early, seeds rot. Once established, these plants are nearly maintenance-free. Even complete beginners routinely achieve full, beautiful harvests.

When should I plant Emerald Tassels seeds?▼

Plant after your last spring frost date when soil reaches 60°F or warmer. In most zones, this is mid-May through early June. Starting seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before your last frost date and transplanting seedlings outdoors after frost is also reliable, especially in cooler climates. Avoid planting too early into cold, wet soil—seeds will rot. In warm climates (zones 9-11), you can also direct-sow in midsummer for fall flowering.

What's the difference between Emerald Tassels and other amaranth varieties?▼

Emerald Tassels specifically features weeping, cascading flower heads in rich emerald green, unlike upright varieties (like red or purple amaranth) that produce dense, spire-like flower heads. Emerald Tassels also uniquely transitions to soft tan when dried, while other colors retain their hue. This makes Emerald Tassels the go-to choice for dramatic drooping shapes in fresh bouquets and elegant fall-toned dried arrangements.

How do you dry Emerald Tassels flowers?▼

Simply cut mature flower stems and bunch 5-8 stems loosely together with twine. Hang bundles upside-down in a warm (60-75°F), dry, well-ventilated space away from direct sunlight—a garage, attic, or shed works perfectly. Drying takes 2-3 weeks; flowers are completely dry when they feel papery and stems snap cleanly. Store dried arrangements in a dry container away from humidity. Dried Emerald Tassels flowers remain beautiful and vibrant for 1-2 years with minimal maintenance.