Blitum capitatum

RHS Plant Profile
strawberry blite

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strawberry blite RHS
strawberry blite RHS
strawberry blite RHS

Other common names

eye-hurt, strawberry spinach, Indian paint, Indian strawberry

Synonyms

Chenopodium capitatum

Annual Biennial Herbs - Culinary
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An upright annual to around 60cm tall with triangular leaves and tiny pale green flowers borne in clusters along the stem in summer which are followed by edible, bright red fruits resembling strawberries

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
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)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Amaranthaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
A genus of flowering annual or perennial herbs found in Europe, Asia, North Africa, The Americas and Australia, with green to purple triangle-shaped foliage and spikes of bright red strawberry-like fruits in summer
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Europe

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a moist but well-drained, moderately fertile soil in full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free