Chenopodium bonus-henricus
good King Henry
An edible perennial with tiny yellowy green flowers and bright mid-green arrow-shaped leaves. Can be eaten raw or cooked and tasting similar to spinach. Keep picking for tasty and tender leaves, and to avoid the plant running to seed too soon
Other common names
all goodblite
see moreEnglish mercury
false mercury
fat-hen
flowering dock
friar's pot herb
good Henry
goosefoot
Lincolnshire asparagus
mark weed
markery
mercury
mercury goosefoot
perennial goosefoot
Roman plant
shoemaker's heels
wild mercury
wild spinach
Buy this plant
Size
Growing conditions
Colour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
Aspect
Exposure
Botanical details
- Family
- Amaranthaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Potentially harmful
- 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
- Plant range
- C & S Europe (Mts)
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in any well-drained fertile soil, in a sunny or semi-shaded position. In the ideal growing conditions they can grow quite rapidly and may require staking if they become too tall
Propagation
Propagate by seed, sow indoors in early spring or sow direct in early summer, once the soil has warmed up
Suggested planting locations and garden types
Pruning
Harvest the leaves as required, to keep the plant compact and cropping well. Only pick lightly in the first year after planting
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.