Species Desert Goosefoot
yellow-green buds with light-green sepals, foliage and stems

Desert Goosefoot

Chenopodium pratericola

Desert Goosefoot (Chenopodium pratericola) is an edible, annual herb native to the Southwestern United States, Mexico, and parts of Central America. This plant is highly drought tolerant and prefers dry, sandy soils. It grows in a mat-like form, with fan-like clusters of small, light green leaves. Its edible flowers feature slender spikes of white stamens, and silver-gray seeds feature along its stems. Desert Goosefoot is renowned for its special flavor and its ability to mix well in salads. Its leaves are best harvested and consumed before the plant blooms. A crucial food source for many of southwestern Native American tribes, Desert Goosefoot has been utilized as a significant part of southwestern culture for centuries.

Watering:

Minimal

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Cutting,Division,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,red,yellow,purple

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Water Desert Goosefoot (Chenopodium pratericola) deeply but infrequently to avoid root rot. This means that you should give the soil a deep soak every 2-3 weeks during warm weather, taking care not to over-saturate the soil. Allow the top 2-3 inches of the soil to dry out between each watering session. When temperatures cool in the fall and winter, water even less frequently; about once a month should suffice.

sunlight

Desert Goosefoot (Chenopodium pratericola) requires consistent sunlight in order to grow and thrive. This species of plant typically grows in areas with high amounts of sunlight, such as deserts and dry, arid climates. As such, it prefers full sunlight throughout the day and will suffer without ample amounts of direct sunlight. Therefore, it’s important to plant desert goosefoot in an area that receives at least 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Sun exposure should be provided in the early morning and late afternoon when the sun’s rays are less intense. If desert goosefoot is not exposed to enough sunlight, it may become weak and susceptible to various pests and diseases.

pruning

Desert Goosefoot (Chenopodium pratericola) is best pruned in late fall or early winter. Pruning should include removing dead or damaged branches and thinning out any overgrown or crowded stems. This will help promote new growth and help promote dense foliage. Be sure not to prune too heavily or the plant may become stressed and not able to store enough nutrients for the next season of growth. Additionally, the Desert Goosefoot produces flowers during the summer months which can be preserved by reducing the amount of pruning at this time.