Species Narrow Leaved Goosefoot
light-green fruits, green leaves and brown-green stems

Narrow Leaved Goosefoot

Chenopodium desiccatum

Also Known As - Arid Land Goosefoot
Narrow Leaved Goosefoot (Chenopodium desiccatum) is an annual herb in the Amaranthaceae family. It grows in a wide variety of habitats, from grasslands and woods to gardens and wastelands. It has alternate, lanceolate leaves with coarsely toothed margins, with a single flower appearing at the end of each stem. Its flowers are greenish in color and its seeds are small, oval, and light brown in color. They are edible when cooked. It's an excellent source of vitamin A and can be used in soups, curries, salads, and as a food topping. It's easy to cultivate and requires little maintenance. It's widely used as a medicinal plant, due to its anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties.

Watering:

Minimal

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Cutting,Division,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,gray,gray

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

The Narrow Leaved Goosefoot (Chenopodium desiccatum) needs moderate amounts of watering throughout the growing season. Water the plant deeply a few times a week, making sure that each application of water penetrates deeply into the soil. The soil should be kept slightly moist to the touch at all times, but never soggy. During dry periods, increase the frequency of watering to keep the plant hydrated. During the cooler months of the year, reduce the frequency of watering to once a week.

sunlight

Narrow Leaved Goosefoot (Chenopodium desiccatum) is a plant species that prefers full to partial sun. It prefers 6 or more hours of direct sunlight (or 14+ hours of indirect light) on a daily basis. In areas of the southern US where temperatures are generally higher, it is best to provide partial shade during the afternoon to help prevent overheating. The direct sun also helps it to thrive, producing more flowers and fruits than in shadier locations.

pruning

Narrow Leaved Goosefoot (Chenopodium desiccatum) should be pruned once a year, in early spring before the plant starts to bloom. Pruning can be done lightly; simply remove any dead or diseased stems and faded flowers. If your plant is becoming overgrown, you can do a more extensive pruning, but take care not to remove too much at once. Also, take care not to prune the stems too short, as this can leave them vulnerable to breaking in windy conditions.