Amaranthus caudatus (Love-lies-bleeding)

Botanical name

Amaranthus caudatus

Other names

Love-lies-bleeding, Tumbleweed, Velvet flower, Tassel flower, Teasel flower, Thrumwort , Floramor , Inca wheat, Lady's riding whip, Careless, Cat tail , Chenile plant

Genus

Amaranthus Amaranthus

Species

A. caudatus - A. caudatus is a mid-sized annual or biennial plant with large ovate, mid-green leaves. It is grown for its distinctive, pendant, deep-red catkins that appear in summer and autumn.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Bushy, Upright

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Colour

Flower

Dark-red in Summer; Dark-red in Autumn

Foliage

Green in Summer; Green in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Aphids

Diseases

Can succumb to a virus

General care

Propagation methods

Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Amaranthus caudatus (Love-lies-bleeding) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 1m after 1-2 years.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Prairie planting

Cultivation

Grow in any moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in a sunny, sheltered position. Water during dry periods to maintain flowering.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Tender in frost (H3)

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Amaranthus caudatus (Love-lies-bleeding)

Common pest name

Acorn disease; Citrus little leaf; Citrus stubborn disease; Little leaf of citrus; Stubborn disease of citrus

Scientific pest name

Spiroplasma citri

Type

Bacterium

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Bacterial pest affecting citrus and field vegetables now present in parts of the EU. Carrots are the main crop potentially at risk; but main vectors responsible for transmission are unlikely to establish in the UK. EU regulations should be updated to reflect extended host range. Industry may be interested in pursuing research to investigate impacts on field vegetables.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Amaranthus caudatus (Love-lies-bleeding)

Common pest name

Corn borer; Corn moth; European corn borer; European maize borer; European stalk borer; Maize pyralid

Scientific pest name

Ostrinia nubilalis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Present (Limited)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Polyphagous boring pest present in the UK since the 1930’s. A maize-affecting race was detected for the first time in 2010. Industry may wish to monitor for its presence and mitigate against impacts.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Amaranthus caudatus (Love-lies-bleeding)

Common pest name

Asain cotton leafworm; Cluster caterpillar; Fall armyworm; Rice cutworm; Taro caterpiller; Tobacco budworm; Tobacco caterpillar; Tobacco cutworm; Tobacco leaf caterpillar

Scientific pest name

Spodoptera litura

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Regulated pest; frequently intercepted with occasional outbreaks which have been successfully eradicated in the UK.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/