Amaranth, Hopi Red Dye (Amaranthus cruentus)

Hopi Red Dye Amaranth is a captivating heirloom variety of Amaranthus cruentus, known for its deep burgundy foliage and tall, cascading seed heads that add brilliant color to summer gardens. Easy to grow and quick to mature, this versatile plant provides benefits at every stage of its life, from nutrient-rich leaves and seeds to pollinator-attracting beet-red blooms, making it a valuable addition to the edible landscape.

Traditionally cultivated by the Hopi Peoples of the American Southwest, who called it “komo,” this variety is renowned for the natural dye extracted from its intensely colored flower bracts, used in foods and ceremonial preparations. While the plant’s nutrient-rich leaves and seeds make it a useful edible, today, gardeners appreciate Hopi Red Dye both for its cultural significance and its ornamental appeal, offering bold color, culinary potential, and craft uses all in one remarkable plant.