Fat-hen
Chenopodium album · Amaranthaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant fat-hen: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Blooming
- Summer to autumn (discrete greenish flowers)
- Adult size
- 0.3 to 1.5 m in height depending on conditions
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Low hardiness, frost-sensitive
- Origin
- Central and temperate Asia
- Soil type
- Undemanding, tolerates poor to rich soils
- Life cycle
- Annual or biennial
Care
Light exposure
Plant your white goosefoot in full sun to partial shade for optimal growth. This cosmopolitan plant adapts to most light environments. It thrives in open conditions, in fields or well-exposed gardens.
Watering
Water regularly during active growth periods, especially if the soil dries out. Once established, this annual plant resists moderate drought. However, avoid persistent waterlogging which favors fungal diseases.
Soil and planting
White goosefoot accepts almost all soil types, from poor ground to enriched soils. Proper drainage remains preferable. Sow directly in place in spring, after the last frosts, lightly covering the seeds.
Fertilization
No fertilizer is generally necessary. If the soil is very depleted, a moderate application of compost or balanced fertilizer in spring can stimulate growth. This undemanding plant is satisfied with minimal conditions.
Pruning and training
No pruning is required for this annual herb. If you wish to limit its spread, remove flowers before seed maturation, which remain very abundant and viable for long periods.
Diseases and pests
White goosefoot can be affected by powdery mildew and various fungi in humid environments. Ensure good air circulation and avoid excessive foliar watering. Pests are rare under normal conditions.
Did you know?
White goosefoot, long regarded as a common weed, has been consumed since antiquity as a leaf vegetable in Asia and the Mediterranean basin. Its mealy leaves contain a distinctive white coating (hence its common name), and this plant has spread worldwide through human cultivation, becoming today cosmopolitan and extremely adaptable to all terrestrial environments.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- SpinachSpinacia oleracea
- Strawberry bliteBlitum capitatum
- SaltbushAtriplex halimus
- Atriplex prostrataAtriplex prostrata
- BeetBeta vulgaris
- Lipandra polyspermaLipandra polysperma
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.