Chenopodium album

RHS Plant Profile
white goosefoot

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white goosefoot RHS
white goosefoot RHS

Other common names

bacon weed, common goosefoot, dirtweed, dirty Dick, fat hen, frost blite, midden meals, muck weed, mutton tops, lamb's quarters, pigweed, tafod yr oen

Synonyms

Chenopodium leiospermum

Annual Biennial

A fast-growing, upright, branching annual to 2m high, with silvery green, lightly toothed leaves, which are narrower further up the plant, and mealy white underneath. Produces spikes of small, tightly clustered green flowers, which can go on to produces thousands of seed from each plant

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Sand, Loam

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Sand Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Amaranthaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading branched
Genus
Chenopodium can be annuals or perennials, with often mealy stems and foliage, simple or lobed leaves and minute flowers in termianl or axillary clusters, in a few species followed by colourful fruits
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Most vigorous in fertile, heavy soils in full sun, but will tolerate a range of positions and soil types. Spreads rapidly, generally considered a weed.

Propagation

Self- and wind pollinated, propagates by seed produced prolifically through the growing season. Seed can remain viable in the soil for many years

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Wildlife gardens

Pruning

Remove before seeding to prevent spreading

Pests

May be susceptible to root nematodes

Diseases

May be susceptible to downy mildews