Eden Brothers
Amaranthus Seeds Pygmy Torch
Best compact annual for container gardeners seeking low-maintenance, pollinator-friendly color.
Discover the Pygmy Torch Amaranthus, a compact heirloom variety perfect for adding unique texture to your garden or floral designs. This annual plant grows upright to a maximum of 16 inches, making it an excellent choice for containers or direct sowing in sunny locations. It produces striking, bold red plumes from summer through fall. Pygmy Torch Amaranthus is drought tolerant, thrives in poor soil, and attracts beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies, while also being resistant to deer.
$5.49
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
3177
/ 6090
#3177 in Seeds & Seed Tape
Price vs Category Average
-48%
Below average
Botanical Name
Amaranthus hypochondriacus
/ Amaranthus hypochondriacus
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking vibrant, long-lasting seasonal color
- Homeowners in hot, dry climates needing resilient annuals
- Floral designers wanting unique, architectural bouquet fillers
Who should skip it
- Low-maintenance gardeners wanting to avoid unwanted volunteer seedlings
- Shade-garden owners lacking sufficient direct sunlight
- Beginners preferring plants that require minimal pest monitoring
Performance breakdown
Container Versatility
Compact stature makes this an ideal candidate for small-space container gardening.
Pollinator Appeal
Bold red plumes act as a magnet for local bees and butterflies.
Drought Resilience
Established plants handle dry spells with impressive grace and minimal fuss.
Soil Adaptability
Thrives in nutrient-poor conditions where more demanding flowers might struggle.
Deer Resistance
Reliably ignored by browsing deer, protecting your garden from unwanted grazing.
Floral Utility
Unique texture and color make these plumes perfect for dried arrangements.
Key Specs
Botanical Name
Amaranthus hypochondriacus
Plant Height
16 inches
Bloom Season
Summer through Fall
Planting Season
Spring
Planting Depth
1/16 inch
Plant Spacing
6 to 8 inches
Hardiness Zones
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Days to Maturity
75 days
Features
- Compact heirloom variety for drying and crafting
- Produces bold, colorful red plumes
- Attracts bees, butterflies, and pollinators
- Drought tolerant and tolerates poor soil
- Deer resistant
- Ideal for containers and small spaces
- Upright growth habit
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the exceptional quality of the Amaranthus Pygmy Torch seeds, noting impressive germination rates even in varied conditions. The resulting plants deliver a stunning visual impact, providing rich, reliable color that elevates garden design. Gardeners find the seeds easy to sow and the compact plants require minimal fuss, offering excellent value for a high impact annual. This reliability and vibrant display are the primary drivers of positive feedback.
Know before you buy
This variety is quite compact, reaching a maximum height of 16 inches. Its upright growth habit makes it an excellent choice for containers or the front of a garden border.
Pygmy Torch is perfectly suited for containers. Because it only reaches 16 inches, it thrives in pots as long as they are placed in a location with full sun.
Yes, the bold red plumes are excellent for drying and crafting. They hold their texture and color well, making them a popular choice for dried floral designs.
It is a low-maintenance plant that is drought tolerant and capable of thriving in poor soil. While it prefers moderate watering, it is quite resilient once established.
Pygmy Torch is deer resistant, so you don't need to worry about them snacking on your plants. Instead, it will attract beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies to your garden.
You should sow these seeds in the spring after the danger of frost has passed. With a 75-day maturity period, you can expect to see their signature red plumes from summer through fall.
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