Heirloom

Velvet Curtains

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 Velvet Curtains in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

Velvet Curtains · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-draining soil, tolerates poor to moderate fertility

WaterModerate; drought tolerant once established

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorDeep burgundy to maroon plumes

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

Velvet Curtains produces its long drooping tassels continuously once it matures, without needing to be cut back and resown on a cycle. One planting carries through from midsummer to first frost. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date, or direct sow once soil temps reach 60°F — that single sowing is all you need.

Complete Growing Guide

Feathery plumes are slightly lighter in color when compared to Red Spike. Lovely color and form for late summer and fall arrangements. When plants are young and leaves are tender, the foliage makes a nice edible green. Also known simply as amaranth. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, Velvet Curtains 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

Velvet Curtains 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

For fresh flowers, store Velvet Curtains upright in a vase with room-temperature water away from direct sunlight and ripening fruit, which should last 7-10 days. Young foliage can be refrigerated in a sealed plastic bag for 3-5 days. For preservation, dry the flower plumes by hanging upside-down in a warm, well-ventilated space (yields long-lasting arrangements lasting months), freeze the tender young leaves in ice cube trays with water, or press the foliage between parchment paper under books for botanical crafting.

History & Origin

Velvet Curtains 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

+Feathery plumes lighter than Red Spike variety offer unique visual appeal
+Excellent for late summer and fall flower arrangements and displays
+Young tender foliage is edible and nutritious as a green
+Fast growing with only 65-75 days from seed to maturity
+Easy to grow making it ideal for beginning gardeners

Considerations

-Tall plants may require staking or support in windy conditions
-Seeds can self-sow prolifically potentially becoming weedy in gardens
-Prefers warm soil and struggles in cool or wet climates

Companion Plants

Marigolds and Nasturtiums pull their weight near Velvet Curtains for different reasons. French marigolds (Tagetes patula) produce alpha-terthienyl in their roots, a compound toxic to soil nematodes in the top 6-8 inches — useful if you're rotating through beds that previously grew root-sensitive crops. Nasturtiums work above ground as a trap crop: aphids, including Aphis fabae, will colonize nasturtium stems before they reach the amaranth's tassels, buying you time to spot and deal with the problem. Sweet Alyssum draws in hoverflies and parasitic wasps that cut through the same aphid and mite populations that bother this plant. Cosmos and Zinnia work simply because they share similar heat tolerance and water needs without crowding the root zone — no chemistry, just compatible neighbors.

Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) is a hard stop. The juglone it releases through root decay and leaf litter is potent enough to stunt or kill many annuals, and amaranth is sensitive to it. Eucalyptus leaf litter carries cineole-based oils with similar suppressive effects. Fennel gets its own category — it's broadly allelopathic across most garden plants and will undercut neighbors growing within about 3 feet of its base.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial insects

Lavender

Deters pests with aromatic oils and attracts pollinators

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial insects like lacewings and parasitic wasps

Petunias

Repel aphids, tomato hornworms, and squash bugs

Cosmos

Attract beneficial pollinators and predatory insects

Zinnia

Attract butterflies and beneficial insects while providing color contrast

Catmint

Repels ants, aphids, and mosquitoes with natural compounds

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone which inhibits growth of many flowering plants

Eucalyptus

Releases allelopathic compounds that suppress nearby plant growth

Fennel

Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathic root secretions

Troubleshooting Velvet Curtains

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

Seedlings collapse at soil level, stems pinched and brown right where they meet the dirt

Likely Causes

Damping off (Pythium or Rhizoctonia spp.) — fungal rot triggered by cold, wet, poorly drained seed-starting mix
Overwatering combined with low airflow around seedlings

What to Do

1.Toss the affected tray — there's no saving collapsed seedlings
2.Start fresh in a sterile, well-draining seed-starting mix; don't reuse old trays without sanitizing them first
3.Water from the bottom and run a small fan nearby to keep surface moisture down

Leaves stippled with tiny pale dots, undersides look dusty or faintly webbed in dry weather

Likely Causes

Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) — thrives when temperatures exceed 85°F and humidity drops
Plants that were drought-stressed before mites arrived are hit harder

What to Do

1.Blast the undersides of leaves with a firm stream of water every 2-3 days to knock mites off
2.Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil in the early morning so it contacts the mites before it evaporates — repeat every 5-7 days for 3 applications
3.Keep plants consistently watered; stressed plants draw mites faster than healthy ones

Lower leaves develop irregular tan or brown patches with no distinct border, starting mid-season

Likely Causes

Cercospora leaf spot (Cercospora spp.) — a fungal disease that splashes up from soil during rain or overhead watering
Dense planting under 12 inches apart that restricts airflow between stems

What to Do

1.Remove and trash (don't compost) affected leaves as soon as you notice them
2.Switch to drip irrigation or water at the base — keep foliage dry
3.Space plants at least 12-18 inches apart next season; this variety hits 3-5 feet tall and needs the room to breathe

Stems and flower tassels covered in black or green clusters of soft-bodied insects by midsummer

Likely Causes

Aphids (commonly green peach aphid, Myzus persicae, or black bean aphid, Aphis fabae) — they pile onto tender growing tips first
Ant activity nearby, which often signals ants are actively tending the colony for honeydew

What to Do

1.Knock aphids off with a strong water spray; for heavy infestations, follow up with insecticidal soap directly on the clusters
2.Find the ant trails and disrupt them — if ants are running protection, spraying the aphids alone won't hold
3.Interplant Sweet Alyssum within a few feet to draw in parasitic wasps that work through aphid populations on their own

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Velvet Curtains flowers last in a vase?▼

Velvet Curtains flowers typically last 7-10 days in a vase when placed in room-temperature water away from direct sunlight and ripening fruit. For extended longevity, dry the plumes by hanging them upside-down in a warm, well-ventilated area—dried arrangements can last for months with proper care.

Can you grow Velvet Curtains amaranth in containers?▼

Yes, Velvet Curtains can be grown in containers, though larger pots (12+ inches) are recommended for optimal foliage and flower development. Ensure well-draining soil and consistent watering. Container growing is ideal for patios and small gardens, though plants may remain slightly more compact than in-ground specimens.

Is Velvet Curtains amaranth good for beginner gardeners?▼

Absolutely. Velvet Curtains is classified as an easy-to-grow heirloom variety, making it ideal for beginners. It thrives in full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours), tolerates various conditions, and produces reliable feathery plumes and edible young foliage with minimal fuss or special requirements.

When should I plant Velvet Curtains for late summer and fall color?▼

Direct sow Velvet Curtains after your last frost date once soil has warmed. For late summer and fall arrangements, succession-sow seeds every 2-3 weeks starting in early summer. Plants reach maturity in 65-75 days, allowing timing adjustments to coincide with your desired harvest window.

Can young Velvet Curtains foliage really be eaten?▼

Yes, when plants are young and leaves are still tender, the foliage makes a pleasant edible green suitable for salads or cooking. However, harvest cautiously to avoid stunting flower development if ornamental plumes are your primary goal. Flavor is mild and spinach-like.

How does Velvet Curtains compare to Red Spike amaranth?▼

Velvet Curtains features feathery plumes that are slightly lighter in color than Red Spike, offering a softer aesthetic for floral arrangements. Both are heirloom amaranths with similar growing requirements and easy cultivation, though Velvet Curtains is preferred for its delicate coloring in late-season displays.