Amaranthus cruentus Elephant's Head (Fat Spike): Unique elephant snake-like flowers

Amaranthus cruentus Elephant's Head, also known as Fat Spike, is a historic ornamental plant from 1880, notable for its enormous, deep reddish-purple flower spikes shaped like an elephant snake. This unique shape and color make this variety a real eye-catcher in borders, garden plants, and bouquets.

The name "Elephant's Head" refers to the flower's unique structure: the heavy seed clusters bend and curl, creating the characteristic shape of an elephant's head or trunk. These graceful, dramatic flowers are both visually striking and historically interesting, making Elephant's Head a must-have for garden enthusiasts, collectors, and professional florists.

Flowers and growth characteristics

Amaranthus cruentus Elephant's Head produces long, heavy flower spikes, abundantly and densely covered with deep reddish-purple flowers. The elephant-snake-shaped flower structure is created by the heavy seed clusters bending and drooping, giving the plant a graceful, architectural appearance.

The compact, bushy foliage contrasts beautifully with the deep red flower spikes, creating a dramatic and striking effect in back gardens, borders, and flower arrangements. The sturdy, upright stems make Elephant's Head an excellent cut flower, while its striking shape also makes it a decorative standout in the garden.

Cultivation and care

Amaranthus cruentus Elephant's Head is easy to grow and low-maintenance, making it suitable for both hobby gardens and professional cut flower growers. Important growing tips:

• Location: full sun, sheltered from strong winds

• Soil: well-drained, nutritious and moisture-retaining

• Water requirements: water regularly, tolerates heat and humidity well

• Sowing period: spring, after the last risk of frost

• Flowering period: summer to late summer/autumn

Thanks to its robust growth and heat resistance, Elephant's Head remains a powerful element in borders and bouquets, even during hot, humid summers.

Applications in borders, pots and bouquets

Amaranthus cruentus Elephant's Head is versatile and can be used in various ways:

• Borders and flower beds: adds height, color and dramatic shape

• Container planting: ideal for patios or large pots, where the striking elephant snake shape is clearly visible

• Cut flowers: excellent filler flowers for bouquets and arrangements thanks to the sturdy, long stems

• Flower arrangements and arrangements: the unique shape makes the plant a showstopper in bouquets

The long flowering period and sturdy stems ensure that the flowers have a long shelf life in bouquets, making them ideal for both professional florists and home use.

Edible value

Besides its ornamental value, Amaranthus cruentus Elephant's Head also offers nutritious seeds. The black seeds can be harvested and used in cooking as a grain or food supplement, while the young leaves can also be used as salad greens. This ancient ornamental selection thus combines aesthetic and culinary benefits in a single plant.

Historical value and ornamental value

Amaranthus cruentus Elephant's Head is an old ornamental selection from 1880, making it notable not only for its unique elephant-snake-shaped flowers but also for its historical significance in garden collections. The plant is a perfect example of classic ornamental amaranths, still prized for their long blooming period, robustness, and striking colors.

• Deep reddish-purple, elephant snake-like plumes

• Sturdy, tall stems for cut flowers

• Robust and resistant to heat and humid summers

• Edible black seeds and optional salad greens

• Ideal for borders, bouquets and as a solitary plant in the garden

In short: striking, historical amaranth

Amaranthus cruentus Elephant's Head (Fat Spike) combines large, elephant-snake-like flower spikes, deep reddish-purple color, and historic charm with long blooms and edible uses. Key features:

• Unique flower shape reminiscent of an elephant snake or head

• Deep red-purple flowers for dramatic effects in borders and bouquets

• Robust and low-maintenance, suitable for hot summers

• Edible black seeds and young leaves

• Historical ornamental selection from 1880

With its visual impact, long flowering period, and versatility, Amaranthus cruentus Elephant's Head is an excellent choice for gardeners, florists, and collectors who want to add a historic and striking ornamental plant to their borders, flower arrangements, and bouquets.