The dramatic, crimson tassels of love-lies-bleeding make it a unique plant, with a long history in colonial American and Victorian English gardens. Place up front as a focal point, or in the back of a border. Tassels can reach 18", last for many weeks, and are excellent for fresh or dried flower arrangements. Also called tassel flower.

Variety Info

• Family: Amaranthaceae
• Native: Unknown
• Hardiness: Annual
• Exposure: Full sun
• Bloom Period: Summer to frost
• Plant Dimensions: 3'–4' tall, 12"–24" wide
• Variety Info: Each cascading red tassel (up to 18" long) is a colony of tiny, tightly packed flowers against dark green leaves.
• Attributes: Cut Flower

Sowing Info

• When to Sow Outside: 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date.
• When to Start Inside: 6 to 8 weeks before your average last frost date. Sow in biodegradable pots that can be directly planted in the ground; roots are sensitive to disturbance.
• Days to Emerge: 7 – 14 days
• Seed Depth: ⅛"
• Seed Spacing: A group of 3 seeds every 18" – 24"
• Thinning: When 1" – 2" tall, thin to 1 every 18" – 24"

Growing Info

• Harvesting: For longest vase life, harvest in the morning, choosing stems with 1/2-3/4 of the flowers open. Pick for dried use when the seed has begun to set and the flowers are firm to the touch. Stand the cut stems in a dry vase in a warm, dry, dark area for at least 10 days.