fruit · direct sow
Grain Amaranth: how much to plant.
A family of 4 eating grain amaranth a few times a week needs about 16 plants in ~32 sq ft, worth about $20 a year at the store. Here are the exact numbers for your household, and when to plant in every zone.
How much to plant
Plants, space, seeds, and value.
Counts assume about 3 servings per person per week with a germination buffer built in. Store value uses ~$5.00/lb retail, an estimate that varies by region and season.
| Household | Plants | Bed space | Seeds to buy | Store value / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 4 | ~8 sq ft | ~8 | ~$5 |
| 2 people | 8 | ~16 sq ft | ~16 | ~$10 |
| 4 people | 16 | ~32 sq ft | ~32 | ~$20 |
| 6 people | 24 | ~48 sq ft | ~48 | ~$30 |
Spacing
12" in row · 24" between rows
Sow depth
0.25"
Days to harvest
105 from seed
When to plant
Sow windows by USDA zone, 2026.
Zone dates are typical, not exact. The free planner uses your ZIP code's frost dates, not just the zone, and shifts every window to match.
| Zone | Spring sow window | Fall sow window |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | May 29 – Jul 4 | — |
Amaranth, grain needs about 105 days and your first frost comes too early for that. Even the earliest date shown will not ripen outdoors here, grow it in a container you can move, or treat it as a short-season variety. | ||
| Zone 4 | May 24 – Jun 29 | — |
Amaranth, grain needs about 105 days and your first frost comes too early for that. Even the earliest date shown will not ripen outdoors here, grow it in a container you can move, or treat it as a short-season variety. | ||
| Zone 5 | May 14 – Jun 1 | — |
| Zone 6 | May 4 – Jun 9 | — |
| Zone 7 | Apr 19 – May 25 | — |
| Zone 8 | Apr 8 – May 14 | — |
| Zone 9 | Mar 6 – Apr 11 | — |
| Zone 10 | Feb 14 – Mar 22 | — |
Know when it's time to plant
Give us your ZIP and we'll email you a planting checklist for your exact frost dates, this month's list right now, then once a month when sow windows open.
One email a month, only when there's something to plant. Unsubscribe anytime.
Know before you grow
The practical stuff.
Ready to pick when
Seed heads dry and rain seed with a gentle shake or rub. Birds circling the plot is the other reliable signal.
Yield
About 0.25 lbs per plant over ~2 productive weeks (~0.25 lb).
Neighbors
Plays well with sweet corn.
On the plate (per 100 g, USDA)
371 kcal · 6.7 g fiber · 4.2 mg vitamin C · 508 mg potassium
Stop guessing. Get your exact numbers.
Tell the free planner what you want to eat and who you're feeding. It returns plant counts, spacing, and frost-safe sow dates for your ZIP code, not just your zone, in about 60 seconds.
Amaranth, grain cans, freezes, or dries for the pantry. See how much to grow and store to feed your household, and how long it keeps.
Amaranth, grain planting questions
How many grain amaranth plants do I need per person?+
For steady eating (about 3 servings a week), plan on roughly 4 plants per person. A family of 4 needs about 16 plants, which takes around 32 sq ft of bed space.
How much space does grain amaranth need?+
Space plants 12" apart in the row with 24" between rows. Sow 0.25" deep. Direct sow in the bed.
When should I plant grain amaranth?+
It depends on your frost dates. Spring sowing is keyed to your last spring frost. The zone table on this page shows typical windows; enter your ZIP in the free planner for dates tuned to your exact location, not just your zone.
Is growing grain amaranth worth it?+
At about $5.00/lb retail and ~0.25 lb per plant, a family-of-4 planting is worth about $20 a year at the store. Prices vary by region and season, so treat it as an estimate.