How much sun does Redroot need?

Redroot grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Redroot bloom?

Redroot blooms in July, August, and September.

Where is Redroot native?

Redroot (Amaranthus retroflexus) is native to AL, AR, CA, CO and 40 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What pollinators does Redroot attract?

Redroot draws bees and beetles.

Is Redroot HOA-friendly?

Redroot takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Redroot

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Amaranthus retroflexus

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Redroot (Amaranthus retroflexus) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

12"–48" H × 6"–24" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, CA, CO and 40 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains Northwestern Forested Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range Southern Rockies Arizona/New Mexico Mountains Chihuahuan Deserts High Plains Southwestern Tablelands Central Great Plains Great Plains Cross Timbers Edwards Plateau Western Gulf Coastal Plain Ozark Highlands Central Irregular Plains Northwestern Glaciated Plains Northwestern Great Plains Northern Glaciated Plains Western Corn Belt Plains Northern Lakes and Forests North Central Hardwood Forests Driftless Area Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains Central Corn Belt Plains Eastern Corn Belt Plains Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Northern Allegheny Plateau Erie Drift Plain Northern Forests Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley Central Appalachians Western Allegheny Plateau Interior River Valleys and Hills Mississippi Alluvial Plain Acadian Plains and Hills Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

Redroot amaranth is a tall annual wildflower that produces dense, upright spikes of tiny greenish flowers from summer through fall. This native plant has a somewhat coarse appearance and can grow quite large, reaching up to 4 feet in height with a bushy, spreading habit.

In an HOA neighborhood

Redroot takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Often considered a weed due to aggressive self-seeding
Coarse, unrefined appearance looks wild and unkempt
Can become very tall and dominating in landscape beds

Wildlife value

The flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees and beetles during late summer and fall. Seeds are valuable food for birds, particularly songbirds and game birds.

Common questions

How much sun does Redroot need?: Redroot grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Redroot bloom?: Redroot blooms in July, August, and September.
Where is Redroot native?: Redroot (Amaranthus retroflexus) is native to AL, AR, CA, CO and 40 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Redroot attract?: Redroot draws bees and beetles.
Is Redroot HOA-friendly?: Redroot takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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