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Can You Grow Amaranth (Chaulai / Rajgira) in Illinois?

US · USDA Zone 5b · zones 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a

Grows well here

Amaranth thrives in your zone — a productive dual-purpose crop for greens and nutritious grain.

Plant zones

4a–11b

Illinois last frost

early April

Illinois first frost

late October

Days to harvest

50–75 days

When to plant Amaranth (Chaulai / Rajgira)s in Illinois

Start indoors

Mar 10

Transplant

Apr 7

Harvest

May 27 – Jun 21

Dates are approximate, based on Illinois's average frost dates. Your exact yard may vary by microclimate.

About Amaranth (Chaulai / Rajgira)

Amaranth (chaulai saag) is a fast-growing leafy vegetable and grain crop used across Indian, African, and Central American cuisines. The leaves are cooked like spinach; the seeds (rajgira) are a nutritious grain used in laddoos and rotis. Extremely productive and heat-tolerant.

Direct sow after last frost — grows rapidly in heat. Harvest outer leaves continuously for greens. For grain, let seed heads mature and turn brown, then thresh over a bucket. Leaf amaranth is ready in 6-8 weeks. Self-seeds prolifically — deadhead if you do not want volunteers.

Full amaranth (chaulai / rajgira) growing guide →

Gardening in Illinois

Illinois has a humid continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. Chicago is Zone 5b-6a; southern Illinois is warmer at Zone 6-7. Classic Midwest growing region.