Amaranth is a group of plants with several types: grain, vegetable, ornamental, and also wild types. Iowa State University released these improved types of amaranths from breeding with seed stocks from the US National Plant Germplasm System collection. The intention is to breed novel traits into advanced backgrounds, rather than make incremental improvements on amaranths that are already successful. We hope that some will be useful as they are, and in the pedigrees of new amaranth types bred by others.

Questions regarding the varieties may be directed to the breeder, David Brenner at 716 Farmhouse Ln, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011 or by phone (515-294-6786) or email (dbrenner@iastate.edu).

If you have any questions regarding the licensing of these new varieties, please contact Yongsheng (Yong) Chen by phone (515-294-5614) or email (germplasm@iastate.edu).

ISURF#05803 Amaranthus hypochondriacus, Released in 2025

DB 2021061 ‘Big Heart’ is a burgundy-flowered amaranth with dramatic heart-shaped leaf markings and practical advantages for cut flower production. The inflorescence is erect and stiff. It is an improved version in the same series as Pillar Orange and Pillar Red (ISURF#03309 & 03310) Ornamental Amaranth) which lack leaf markings. At the end of the season, they become similar since the big heart leaf markings fade but earlier during the active growing season the leaf markings add to garden interest.

ISURF#05757 Amaranthus cruentus, "Cinch" Released in 2025 

DB 2021172 ‘Cinch’ amaranth is a striking burgundy-red flowered variety with a clean, upright form and practical advantages for cut flower production. It is short, unbranched, and has non shattering seeds cases. The unbranched architecture is more formal than older varieties. The non-shattering seeds cases make the plants cleaner as cut flowers, since seeds do not fall on consumer’s tables, and are less likely to volunteer from fallen seeds. The Amaranthus cruentus background is widely adapted, and is more disease (Phomopsis amaranthicola) and heavy soil tolerant than varieties of Amaranthus hypochondriacus or Amaranthus tricolor that the other short varieties are classified in.

ISURF#05757 Amaranthus cruentus, "Sturdy" Released in 2025 

DB 2019476 'Sturdy' is intended for amaranth grain production. Its stem is short and unbranched; the plants are one meter tall. The shortness is novel in grain amaranths and is useful because short plants resist blowing over in inclement weather. Sturdy has green leaves and red flower heads, and white opaque-starch seeds. The seed cases open with a seam at the equator which is standard for grain production amaranths. There is a sister variety ‘Cinch’ which has no seam on the seed case, so the seeds stay on the plant, but are more difficult to clean. Either Sturdy or Cinch could be useful for grain production depending on grain processing equipment.

ISURF#05416 Two Semi-Dwarf Grain Amaranths with Improved Stems, Released in 2022 

DB 2003878 and DB 2003883 are semi-dwarf grain amaranth that combine the desirable lodging resistant stems from the ornamental variety Elephant Head (PI 584523) with the white seeds, and indeterminate inflorescences that are typical of grain production amaranths. They are from the genetic diversity in the United States National Plant Germplasm System’s amaranth seed collection, at the North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station, Iowa State University.

ISURF#04957: Dwarf leafy amaranth variety DB-2008910

Iowa State breeder, David Brenner has released a short leafy grain amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus) variety DB 2008910. The variety has a leafy spinach-like appearance when the plants are 20 cm height at the leafy stage before the inflorescence emerges. The shortness is because of short internodes, about 1.5 cm long between leaves on erect and not-lodging stems.

ISURF#03801: DB 2006306: White Seeded African Vegetable Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus)

The African Vegetable type is popular in West Africa. The traditional examples have black seeds; this version has white seeds which are more appealing as food since the seeds cook-up into a white porridge. Having white seeds makes this line suitable for use both as a vegetable, and for edible seed (grain) production.

ISURF#03309 & 03310 Pillar Orange and Pillar Red: Ornamental Amaranth

ISURF is pleased to announce that two varieties of ornamental amaranth, “Pillar Orange” and “Pillar Red”, are released for licensing.

These varieties may be used as tall specimen plants (170 cm) as well as cut flowers. As a cut-flower ornamental amaranth they do not shed seeds and are therefore cleaner than existing ornamental amaranths.

ISURF#02484: Non-Shattering Grain Amaranth Hybrid Populations

The populations DB 92226 and DB 9350 have little or no abscission at the equator of the utricle, or beneath the utricle. They are intended to reduce grain shattering via crossing with standard cultivars. Shattering can cause serious losses in commercial grain production. Utilization of these populations in your own crossing program may ultimately produce far superior commercial varieties by reducing this loss and increasing the value of your lines. 

• DB 9350 (Amaranthus cruentus) plants are single stemmed, non-branching, and about 180 cm tall. The inflorescence is pink with distinctive, very short pedicels, making the inflorescence arms unusually compact. The seeds are black or white. 

• DB 92226 (Amaranthus hypochondriacus) up to 140 cm tall. Inflorescence is red or green and the seeds are white. 

Grain amaranths (Amaranthus spp., Amaranthaceae) are pseudocereals, with high-protein nutritious seeds. They are warm-season annuals that are primarily self pollinating. In the United States, they are grown for health food use; production is concentrated in Nebraska. In India, Mexico, Peru, and some other countries, amaranth grain is a traditional food (Brenner et al. 2000). 
Non-Shattering Grain Amaranth Populations (PDF)

200 seed packets are available for a shipping and handling charge of $5.00 for the first packet and $2.00 for each additional packet. Payment must be received and an agreement must be signed with the Iowa State University Research Foundation prior to seed shipment. There is a limit of 3 packets per population. Watch for future amaranth releases from Iowa State University!

Questions regarding the populations may be directed to David Brenner at G212 Agronomy Hall, Iowa State University Ames, IA 50011 or by phone (515-294-6786), fax (515-294-4880), or email dbrenner@iastate.edu.

If you have any questions regarding the ordering procedure of these new populations, contact the Iowa State University Research Foundation at germplasm@iastate.edu.