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Chenopodium bonus-henricus

Chenopodium bonus-henricus
Good King Henry, Perennial Goosefoot, Lincolnshire Asparagus, Mercury, Wild Mercury

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Hello, I sowed the entire packet multiple times, in different locations, both directly in the ground and in buckets. I thought that snails were eating the young shoots in the vegetable garden, so I sowed them in buckets, far from any endangerment: nothing germinated.

Celine, 05/06/2023

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This plant carries a 6 months recovery warranty

More information

Value-for-money
A perennial herbaceous plant, ranging from 30 to 70 cm (12 to 28in). Cultivated for its leaves, which are consumed raw in salads or cooked like spinach. The stem of the flower spike can also be prepared like asparagus. The sowing period extends from March to April for a harvest starting in mid-May, and it is also possible to sow in October for a harvest starting in April.
Ease of cultivation
Beginner
Height at maturity
50 cm
Spread at maturity
20 cm
Soil moisture
Moist soil
Germination time (days)
15 days
Sowing method
Direct sowing, Sowing under cover
Sowing period March to April, October
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A
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A
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Flowering time July to August
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F
M
A
M
J
J
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Harvest time April to November
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Description

Good King Henry is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows to 30 to 70 cm (12 to 28in). It is cultivated for its leaves, which can be eaten raw in salads or cooked like spinach. The stem of the flower spike can also be prepared and eaten like asparagus. The sowing period extends from March to April for a harvest starting in mid-May. It is also possible to sow in October for a harvest starting in April.

This European plant was already harvested in medieval times as a medicinal plant. The name 'Good King Henry' comes from the Central European pagan fairy 'Guter Heinrich', not from the King of England.

The leaves of Good King Henry are eaten raw in salads when they are young in spring, and cooked like spinach in autumn. In summer, the leaves become too tough to be consumed, but the young flower spike can be enjoyed in the same way as asparagus. Good King Henry is rich in calcium, iron, and phosphorus, and has medicinal properties.

Good King Henry requires a deep and moist soil, with the addition of compost (3kg/m²) once a year at the end of winter.

 

Harvest: The leaves and flower spikes are harvested as needed.

Storage: The leaves do not keep well and should be consumed quickly.

Gardener's tip: From late June to late July, cut the flower spikes to stimulate leaf production.

Harvest

Harvest time April to November
Type of vegetable Leaf vegetable
Vegetable colour green
Size of vegetable Medium
Interest Flavour
Use Cooking

Plant habit

Height at maturity 50 cm
Spread at maturity 20 cm
Growth rate normal

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour medium green
Aromatic? Fragrant foliage when creased

Botanical data

Genus

Chenopodium

Species

bonus-henricus

Family

Chenopodiaceae

Other common names

Good King Henry, Perennial Goosefoot, Lincolnshire Asparagus, Mercury, Wild Mercury

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Annual / Perennial

Perennial

Product reference306111

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Planting and care

Sowing

In autumn, preferably in October, or in spring in March and April, dig deep furrows of 2 cm (1in) spaced 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20in) apart on the edge of the vegetable garden, in an area where Chenopodium can stay for 4 to 5 years. Place the seeds at the bottom of the furrow, cover with fine soil and firm it down with the back of a rake, then water.

The germination takes place in 12 to 15 days. The temperature should be above 15°C (59°F). One month after sowing, when the plants have 4 to 5 leaves, thin out the plants, keeping one chenopod every 35 cm (14in).

Maintenance

Chenopodium is sensitive to drought, which encourages early flowering at the expense of leaf production.  From May, spread a layer of dead leaves to keep the soil moist. Water abundantly at the base throughout the summer.

 

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Seedlings

Sowing period March to April, October
Sowing method Direct sowing, Sowing under cover
Germination time (days) 15 days

Care

Soil moisture Wet
Disease resistance Good
Pruning No pruning necessary

Intended location

Type of use Vegetable garden
Hardiness Hardy down to -29°C (USDA zone 5) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Soil Light
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Any
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light), 130
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