Chenopodium

( ken - oh - POH - dee - um )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus, commonly called Goosefoot, is comprised of annual and perennial herbaceous plants that need full sun and regular water to perform well and are related to Spinach. Most are considered weedy, but some species are intentionally cultivated as edible food crops (especially in the case of Quinoa, or Chenopodium quinoa). Individual flowers are insignificant and range from white to greenish, and plants reach between 2 and 10 feet tall when mature. They are highly adaptable plants, and do well in many different climates and soil types. Grow Chenopodium in mixed beds and borders, as pollinator plants in the landscape, or as a crop plant in an edible garden.

Chenopodium Species and Varietals

The genus Chenopodium is a member of the plant family Amaranthaceae, and includes 132 species. This genus used to include the popular culinary herb plant, Epazote (Chenopodium ambrasioides), which is now included in the genus Dysphania. The best growing zones for Chenopodium vary somewhat depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Chenopodium album (Pigweed, Lamb's Quarters, White Goosefoot, Wild Spinach, Fat-Hen, Wild Quinoa)
These annual plants grow best in USDA hardiness zones 2a-11b or Sunset growing zones 1-24. Leaves are pale green above, whitish underneath, and can be cooked as with Spinach. These plants are extensively cultivated and consumed in northern India and Nepal. This species is native to Europe and needs some support to stay upright as it grows and flowers. This species is considered an invasive weed in North America, Europe, Africa, South America and Australia.

Chenopodium atrovirens (Pinyon Goosefoot, Dark Goosefoot)
This small, annual species is native to western areas in North America, and produces a 2-foot tall plant with an erect green to magenta branching stem. Foliage is green to grey-green and flowers are green and insignificant.

Chenopodium berlandieri (Pitseed Goosefoot, Lambsquarters, Huauzontle, Berlandier's Goosefoot)
This annual herbaceous species is native to North America, and quickly forms a plant that reaches just under 10 feet tall. Although these plants are widely considered to be weeds, they are intentionally cultivated in some areas of the world as a food crop. It is grown for its use as a pseudocereal, a leaf vegetable, and for its broccoli-like flowering shoots. Varieties include 'Huauzontle', 'Chia', and 'Quelite'. These plants grow well in USDA hardiness zones 4a-9b.

Chenopodium candolleanum (Rhagodia candolleana) (Seaberry Saltbush, Coastal Saltbush)
This species forms a shrub that reaches 6.5 feet tall at maturity, and has somewhat succulent foliage. Small white flowers bloom in terminal racemes and are followed by cranberry-colored flattened fruits. These shrubs reach about 3.5 feet tall and are drought-tolerant.

Chenopodium curvispicatum (Cottony Saltbush, Cottony Goosefoot)
This species is native to Australia, where they grow well in arid understory environments. These shrubs have a straggly, spreading growth habit and greenish-silver foliage. Berries produced are red, and turn orange as they dry on the bush. Cottony Saltbush grows to reach a little under three and a half feet tall at maturity.

Chenopodium cycloides (Sandhill Goosefoot, Cycloid Goosefoot)
This native of the south-central United States forms an annual herbaceous plant that reaches a little over two feet tall when mature. Foliage is sometimes fleshy, and is typically blue-green to silver-green in color. Stems are branching and blue-green with reddish stripes. This species grows well in USDA hardiness zones 4a-9b.

Chenopodium detestans (New Zealand Fish Guts Plant, Detestable Goosefoot, Detestable Chenopodium)
This endangered, annual, short-lived species takes a low-growing form and is native to New Zealand's south island. All plant parts have a fetid smell reminiscent of rotting fish guts. These plants form a deep taproot and above-ground prostrate branches that reach about 20 inches tall at maturity. This species grows well in USDA hardiness zones 4a-9b.

Chenopodium ficifolium (Fig-Leaved Goosefoot, Figleaf Goosefoot, Fig-Leaved Lamb's Quarters)
This species is native to Irano-Turanian floristic region, and is widely considered to be a weedy plant. It can be found in most of the world, growing in agricultural or disturbed areas, as well as wild landscapes. These plants grow well in USDA hardiness zones 4a-9b, and are considered invasive in Korea, Canada and the United States (Florida, New Jersey, California, Hawai'i, Missouri).

Chenopodium fremontii (Fremont's Goosefoot)
This species is native to western North America from Canada down through the western United States to Mexico. It is named for 19th century Western pioneer John C. Fremont. Powdery flowers bloom between June and October. Plants reach between 20 and 32 inches tall at maturity.

Chenopodium giganteum (Tree Spinach, Purple Goosefoot, Giant Lamb's Quarters, Magenta Spreen, Giant Goosefoot)
This annual, upright branching plant can reach up to just under 10 feet tall at maturity. Young leaves are tinted with hues of pink and magenta, and mature to green. These plants are cultivated in many gardens both for their edible and ornamental qualities, and grow well in USDA hardiness zones 4-8. This species can become invasive in various regions worldwide due to its weedy, self-seeding characteristics.

Chenopodium littoreum (Hians Goosefoot, Gaping Goosefoot, Coastal Goosefoot)
Reaching up to 32 inches tall at maturity, these annual plants are endemic to California, where they grow in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. Leaves are lance-shaped and light green, coated with a powder. Individual plants form prostrate mats of foliage.

Chenopodium nutans (Climbing Saltbush, Nodding Saltbush)
This climbing groundcover plant is native to Australia, and forms a blanket of foliage on the ground's surface, reaching about 3 feet tall and just as wide when mature. Leaves are semi-succulent, and flowers are green, followed by bright red berries in fall. These are great low-water use groundcovers for drought-tolerant landscaping. This species is considered invasive in Israel and the Canary Islands.

Chenopodium quinoa (Quinoa)
This annual grows in USDA hardiness zones 4-10 or Sunset growing zones 1-24 and grows to 5 feet tall. Flower and following seed clusters are dense. This is a traditional Andean grain that resembles sesame seed. Seeds are high in protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals, and are edible. Plants have green foliage that is powdery and hairy. They are cultivated mostly in Peru and Bolivia, and consumed worldwide.

'Biobio'
With pink flower clusters that produce white seeds.

'Brightest Brilliant'
With colorful flowers and good deer resistance.

'Oro de Valle'
Golden-brown seeds with good mold resistance.

'Red Head'
Produces clouds of pink-red quinoa flowers and seeds.

Caring for Chenopodium

Plant Chenopodium plants in a place in the garden that receives full sun. Ideally, plants will flower and produce the most abundantly when they receive between 6 and 8 hours of direct sun each day. These plants are sensitive to extremely high temperatures (over 90 degrees Fahrenheit), so they should be in a sheltered, cool location in the garden if grown in an area with warmer temperatures. Space plants between 1 and 2 feet apart for best coverage and airflow. Seeds can be direct-sown in the garden. These plants prefer to have their roots in soil that is well-draining and fertile, with a pH of between 4.5 and 8.3. If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Water newly planted Chenopodium regularly to help it develop a strong root system. At maturity, these plants are drought-tolerant, able to get by on rainwater alone with a some supplemental waterings in the warmest months of the year, though they will produce a larger crop if soil is kept relatively moist throughout the spring and summer months.

These plants typically require some type of staking in order to remain upright under the weight of their heavy flowering heads. Any type of stake will do, as long as it is sturdy. Install stakes right at planting time, and continue to tie plants as they get taller over time. Fertilize yearly in early springtime with a application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. If local soils are particularly poor and plants are being grown with the intention of harvesting their seeds or leaves, it may be prudent to apply a second compost feeding in early summertime. There is no need to prune plants; if they are becoming haggard or have yellowing or browning leaves, these parts can be cut off of the plant. Remove spent flower heads if you will not be harvesting them for consumption or to re-sow seeds.

Harvesting Chenopodium (Quinoa)
One Quinoa plant typically produces between 1 and 2 ounces of usable seeds, possibly more if plants are grown in particularly fertile soil. From sowing to harvest takes between 90 and 120 days. Once leaves have fallen off of plants and only the dried seed heads remain, they are ready to be harvested. Cut off the dried flowering heads containing the seeds in their entirety, and bring them to a clean space where they can be processed. Shaking or threshing easily removes seeds from their pods. Sift out any chaff, and then spread seeds out on a tray in a single layer and place it in the hot sun or hear a heat source to dry out. Once dried, it can be stored in an airtight container for up to six months in a cool, dark, dry location. The leaves of these plants are also edible, consumed as a vegetable (similar to Spinach). They can be cooked, eaten as a part of a salad, or used as a substitute for other greens in a variety of recipes. Harvest newly opened leaves and tender shoots from the plant, not removing more than 1/3 of the plant at any time. If growing these plants for their seed, however, it is best to leave all leaves and shoots on the plant so that it can photosynthesize well and produce a good crop of seeds.

Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.

Propagation

The simplest and most straightforward way to propagate these plants is via seed. To propagate your Lamsquarters, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Chenopodium by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on Chenopodium plants are pretty easy to spot, they're large and are left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out, you can harvest the seeds. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag or other container. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them. Alternatively, the seed heads can be threshed to release seeds.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.