Species Leafy Goosefoot
bright-red fruits with green leaves and lime-yellow stems

Leafy Goosefoot

Blitum virgatum subsp. virgatum

Leafy Goosefoot is a low-growing perennial plant with arrow-shaped leaves and small, white flowers. It is native to Europe and North America, where it is found in moist, slightly acidic soil. The plant can reach up to 75cm in height and produces small fruit with two seeds inside. Leafy Goosefoot looks lovely when planted in a wildflower meadow or as part of a border. It can also be used as a natural ground cover. As the plant grows, the lance-shaped foliage forms a carpet of green. Leafy Goosefoot is an attractive, low maintenance plant that is both hardy and drought-tolerant.

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Cutting,Division,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

Low

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Leafy Goosefoot should be watered moderately, about once a week. During the growing season (spring/summer), it is recommended to check the soil regularly and water when necessary, since the soil should be kept evenly moist but not soggy. In the winter, the plant can be watered less frequently; once every other week is enough to keep the soil from drying out completely. Make sure to never let the soil dry out for extended periods of time, as this can lead to leaf burn. Avoid overwatering, as this can cause a plant to suffer from root rot.

sunlight

Leafy Goosefoot (Blitum virgatum subsp. virgatum) prefers full to partial sunlight. As a warm-season annual, it can tolerate some drought, however, for best growth and flower production, it should be watered regularly and receive bright direct sunlight throughout the day. It can also tolerate some shade, especially during hot summer afternoons, however, it should remain in an area with direct sunlight for at least 4 hours each day.

pruning

Leafy Goosefoot (Blitum virgatum subsp. virgatum) should be pruned in late winter or early spring, when the plant is still dormant. Pruning should be limited to ridding the plant of dead or damaged branches and control the size by thinning out excess growth. It should be pruned lightly, removing no more than ⅓ of the stem or leaf material each year. If your goal is to keep your Leafy Goosefoot to a certain size, then remove the longest stems each year first so the plant won’t be over grown. Avoid pruning during the summer as this can reduce flower production.