Flower Library
Love-Lies-Bleeding
Amaranthus · Amaranthaceae
Love-lies-bleeding is the most dramatic line flower of late summer: velvety flower tassels up to half a metre long, cascading from the bouquet in rich blood red or fresh green. Hardly any other flower gives an arrangement so much downward movement. In season we bring it in fresh from the Veiling Rhein-Maas — with firm tassels that are not yet shedding.
- Season
- July – August – September – October
- Vase life
- 7–12 days
- Latin name
- Amaranthus
- Colors
- Blood red, Crimson, Green, Bronze
The most important cut species is Amaranthus caudatus with hanging tassels, in red and as the green selection „Viridis“. Alongside it stand upright species such as Amaranthus cruentus and paniculatus, whose bushy plumes point upwards like torches — often simply listed in the trade as upright amaranthus. Both types are design tools in their own right.
The hanging type is a gift for all exuberant, painterly work: in autumn bouquets, lavish table runners and cascading bridal bouquets it plays the part of the waterfall. We like to tie it in so the tassels spill over the rim of the vase — it instantly gives even compact bouquets depth.
Colour-wise the dark red is a perfect partner for the late summer palette: with bordeaux dahlias, with sunflowers and zinnias, with grasses and bronze foliage. The green form, in turn, cools down white and pastel arrangements and is decidedly in demand in modern wedding floristry.
On the craft side you should know: amaranthus is a heavy drinker with a soft stem. Stock that has gone limp can usually be revived by standing it deep in fresh water. Ripe tassels also shed fine seeds — worth mentioning to customers with delicate tablecloths.
A nice story to tell: amaranth is the same plant whose grains sit on the muesli shelf as a gluten-free pseudocereal. The Incas and Aztecs grew it as a staple food, and the foliage is a leaf vegetable in many cuisines of the world — so nothing about love-lies-bleeding is poisonous.
Is Love-Lies-Bleeding toxic to children and pets?
- Children
- Non-toxic
- Cats
- Mildly irritating
- Dogs
- Mildly irritating
Amaranth is an ancient food plant and harmless to people. In cats and dogs, larger eaten amounts of the leaves can cause gastrointestinal irritation due to oxalates and nitrates — so the bouquet is best kept out of nibbling reach.
Typical symptoms: In animals after eating larger amounts: drooling, vomiting or diarrhoea; serious poisoning is not expected from bouquet quantities.
In an emergency:call the German poison control centre in Bonn on +49 228 19240 (24/7) — for pets, contact an emergency vet directly. This information does not replace medical or veterinary advice.
Overview: toxic & non-toxic plants for cats, dogs and children
Care
- 01Recut the stems and place them straight into plenty of water — amaranthus drinks a lot.
- 02Strip the foliage generously; it wilts well before the tassels do.
- 03Check the water level daily and change it completely every two days.
- 04Let the tassels hang free and avoid crushing them, or they will kink.
- 05Revive limp stems overnight standing deep in fresh, cool water.
- 06Do not place ripe, shedding tassels above delicate surfaces.
Frequently asked
- Is amaranthus toxic to cats or dogs?
- Love-lies-bleeding is considered largely harmless — amaranth is, after all, an ancient food plant. If an animal eats large amounts of the leaves, however, the oxalates and nitrates they contain can irritate the digestive tract. A bouquet in the living room poses no risk, but it is still not meant for constant nibbling.
- How long does love-lies-bleeding last in the vase?
- Around seven to twelve days. The keys are plenty of water and stripped stems — the soft foliage collapses first and otherwise drags the whole look down. The tassels themselves are remarkably tough.
- Can you dry amaranthus?
- Yes, very well — the name amaranth means „the unfading one“ for a reason. Dry hanging varieties in their draped shape, upright ones upside down. The colour deepens slightly while the velvety texture remains.
- Why is the flower called love-lies-bleeding?
- The old English folk name reads the hanging, blood-red tassels as an image of wounded love laid low. In the Victorian language of flowers the plant accordingly stood for hopeless love and deep devotion — today it is prized mainly for the drama of its form.