About

This herbaceous annual grows upright, reaching heights of up to 2 meters. It features toothed leaves that are lance-shaped to triangular in form, which can develop red and purple hues as they mature. The plant produces dense clusters of small greenish flowers, which are succeeded by edible seeds measuring up to 2 millimeters across.

About the genus

Chenopodium includes both annual and perennial species, characterized by stems and leaves that may have a mealy texture. The leaves can be either simple or lobed, and the plant produces small flowers that appear in clusters at the ends of branches or in the leaf axils. In some species, these flowers are succeeded by colorful fruits.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun
Soil type
Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Aspect
West-facing, South-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H4

Plant details

Plant type
Herbs - Culinary, Annual Biennial
Habit
Columnar upright
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
1.5-2.5 metres
Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height
1 year

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow in a moist but well-drained, moderately fertile soil in full sun
Pruning
No pruning required
Propagation
Propagate by seed
Pest resistance
Generally pest-free
Disease resistance
Generally disease-free