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Can You Grow Amaranth (Chaulai / Rajgira) in North Carolina?

US · USDA Zone 7b · zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a

Grows well here

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

Plant zones

4a–11b

North Carolina last frost

late February

North Carolina first frost

early December

Days to harvest

50–75 days

When to plant Amaranth (Chaulai / Rajgira)s in North Carolina

Start indoors

Jan 31

Transplant

Feb 28

Harvest

Apr 19 – May 14

Dates are approximate, based on North Carolina'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 North Carolina

North Carolina spans the mountains (Zone 5b-6a), Piedmont (Zone 7a-7b), and coastal plain (Zone 8a). Long warm seasons support tobacco, sweet potatoes, and a wide range of vegetables.