Overview
Chenopodium album is a spreading branched annual biennial in the genus Chenopodium, part of the Amaranthaceae family, with deciduous foliage. It typically grows around 1.5-2.5 metres tall and 1-1.5 metres wide, reaching full size in around 1 year. Chenopodium album grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include wildlife gardens.
About
Chenopodium album is a fast-growing annual plant in the flowering plant family Amaranthaceae. Though cultivated in some regions, the plant is elsewhere considered a weed. Common names include lamb's quarters, melde, goosefoot, wild spinach and fat-hen, though several are also applied to other species of the genus Chenopodium, for which reason it is often distinguished as white goosefoot. It is native to Africa, North America, Oceania, Southern Asia, Pasto and other regions. Mature plants reach roughly 1.5-2.5 metres tall and 1-1.5 metres wide, carrying deciduous foliage. In the garden it prefers full sun and partial shade and most soil types. It tolerates soil of any pH, moist but well-drained, well-drained conditions and east-facing, west-facing and south-facing aspects.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Chenopodium album
About the genus
Chenopodium is a genus of numerous species of perennial or annual herbaceous flowering plants known as the goosefoot, which occur almost anywhere in the world. It is placed in the family Amaranthaceae in the APG II system; older classification systems, notably the widely used Cronquist system, separate it and its relatives as Chenopodiaceae, but this leaves the rest of the Amaranthaceae polyphyletic. However, among the Amaranthaceae, the genus Chenopodium is the namesake member of the subfamily Chenopodioideae.
Wikipedia contributors, "Chenopodium", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Chenopodium
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Chenopodium
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Sand, Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, West-facing, South-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
Chenopodium album size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Spread
- 1-1.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1 year
- Suggested uses
- Wildlife gardens
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Chenopodium album
- Propagation
- Self- and wind-pollinated, propagates by seed produced prolifically through the growing season. Seed can remain viable in the soil for many years
- Pest resistance
- Root nematodes
- Disease resistance
- Downy mildews
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Chenopodium album?
Chenopodium album prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Chenopodium album need?
Chenopodium album is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, sand and loam. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to well-drained.
How big does Chenopodium album grow?
Chenopodium album reaches a height of 1.5-2.5 metres and a spread of 1-1.5 metres. It takes around 1 year to reach full size.
Is Chenopodium album hardy in the UK?
Chenopodium album has an RHS hardiness rating of H7, meaning it is fully hardy throughout the UK, tolerating temperatures below -20°C.
How do I propagate Chenopodium album?
Self- and wind-pollinated, propagates by seed produced prolifically through the growing season. Seed can remain viable in the soil for many years.
