Jamaican Callaloo – Live Plants | Caribbean Edible Amaranth, Heat-Tolerant Summer Green (Amaranthus cruentus)

Jamaican Callaloo (Amaranthus cruentus) is the essential Caribbean leafy green — a fast-growing, heat-tolerant edible amaranth prized across Jamaica, the West Indies, and the Caribbean diaspora for its tender, nutrient-dense leaves and mild, slightly tangy flavor reminiscent of spinach. Ships as live starter plants ready to go straight into your garden or containers. Reaches harvest maturity in just 30–40 days.

In Jamaica and Guyana, callaloo is so closely associated with the amaranth plant that the plant itself is simply called "callaloo." It thrives during the hottest parts of summer when traditional spinach bolts — making it an indispensable warm-season alternative for Caribbean cooks and home gardeners alike.

Nutritional Profile

Callaloo is one of the most nutritionally dense leafy greens you can grow:

• High in iron, calcium, and magnesium
• Rich in vitamins A and C
• Good source of plant-based protein
• Contains beneficial flavonoids and phytochemicals

Culinary Uses

Use callaloo exactly as you would spinach or any braising green — and explore the rich tradition of Caribbean recipes built around it:

• Jamaican callaloo and saltfish — the national breakfast dish
• Callaloo soup and callaloo stew
• Sautéed with garlic, onion, and Scotch Bonnet pepper
• Added to rice dishes, ackee dishes, and dumplings
• Used raw in salads when young and tender
• Substituted in any recipe calling for spinach, chard, or braising greens

Growing Guide

• Light: Full sun — thrives in heat and direct sunlight.
• Soil: Grows well in most soil types; prefers fertile, well-drained soil with good organic matter.
• Water: Keep soil moist during establishment. Once growing, maintain consistent watering to 1" depth at all times.
• Maturity: 30–40 days to first harvest — begin harvesting outer leaves early and often to encourage continuous growth.
• Heat tolerance: Exceptional — performs best in warm to hot weather when other leafy greens fail.
• Container friendly: Grows well in large containers and raised beds.
• Season: Annual in the US; plant after last frost and grow through summer and early fall.