How to Grow Good King Henry
Chenopodium bonus-henricus
Good King Henry is a hardy perennial vegetable native to Europe, once a cottage garden staple. It produces edible leaves (used like spinach), young shoots (cooked like asparagus), and flower buds (eaten like broccoli). Plant in rich, moist soil in sun or part shade. Do not harvest in the first year; allow the plant to establish a strong root system. From year two, pick leaves and shoots from spring through summer, always leaving enough foliage for the plant to recover. Extremely low-maintenance and long-lived.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Mulch with compost in early spring. A light feed of balanced fertiliser after first harvest flush helps sustain leaf production through summer.
Watch For
- Slugs on young shoots
- Leaf miner
- Downy mildew
Pet Safety
Care Requirements
Light
Sun or partial shade
Grows well in full sun or partial shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade helps prevent wilting. Tolerates dappled shade under deciduous trees.
Watering
Keep moist during growing season
Prefers consistently moist soil, especially during the harvest period from spring to summer. Mulch to retain moisture. Tolerates brief dry spells but leaf quality declines.
Fertilizing
Compost mulch in early spring
Apply a thick layer of compost or well-rotted manure around the crown in spring. A light balanced feed after the first harvest flush helps sustain leaf production through summer.
Pruning
Remove flower stems to extend harvest
Cut flower stems as they appear if you want to prolong leaf production. Allow some to flower if you want self-seeding. Cut all growth back in late autumn after dieback.
Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 40 cm |
| Row spacing | 50 cm |
| Mature height | 60 cm |
| Mature spread | 40 cm |
Clump-forming perennial; space generously for multi-year harvests.
