Species Mealy Goosefoot
Green buds, leaves, petiole and green stem.

Mealy Goosefoot

Chenopodium incanum var. incanum

Chenopodium incanum is an edible weed found in North America, Europe and parts of Asia. It is also known as Mealy Goosefoot due to its mealy covering on the leaf margins and the shape of its goosefoot-like leaves. This annual herb grows in waste areas, gardens and arable fields. The leaves are arrow or diamond shaped and bright to light green in color. They form clusters with a white, mealy covering at the edges. The flowers are small and green, and its fruits are small and reddish-brown. It is a highly nutritious plant containing vitamins A, B and C, as well as minerals. It is often used as an ingredient in salads, soups and stir fry.

Watering:

Minimal

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,yellow

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Hians Goosefoot (Chenopodium hians) should be watered lightly when it's first planted, making sure not to saturate the soil. After that, provide sufficient and consistent moisture to the plant. Water plants weekly during the growing season, providing about 1 inch of water each week. Add more water during hot weather or periods of drought. Make sure the soil remains moist but not wet. Reduce frequency of watering during the winter months.

sunlight

Hians Goosefoot (Chenopodium hians) is a fast-growing annual plant that does best in full sun. It prefers plenty of direct sunlight to allow the plant to reach its maximum growth potential and provide the best quality leaves. Optimal light levels for Hians Goosefoot range from 6-8 hours of direct sunlight throughout the day, with some shade in the afternoon to prevent leaf burning. Too little light causes the plant to become leggy with weak stems and poor quality leaves, and too much light will cause the leaves to yellow and impair growth. In short season climates, Hians Goosefoot should be planted in a spot where it will receive more direct sun during the cooler months to maximize its growth.

pruning

Pruning for Hians Goosefoot (Chenopodium hians) should be done at the end of the flowering season. This allows the plant to regrow and produce a neat, compact shape during the summer. It is important to remove any dead, diseased, or overgrown stems and branches that might be obstructing the growth of the rest of the plant or create a potential safety hazard. Light pruning can also help to promote bushy growth, and the removal of spent flower heads will help to stimulate new blooms. Generally, a gentle pruning of about a quarter of the growth should be adequate; however, more drastic cuts may be necessary to help reshape the shrub if needed.

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