Hians Goosefoot: A Lesser-Known Native with Limited Garden Potential
If you’ve stumbled across the name hians goosefoot in your native plant research, you might be wondering what exactly this plant is and whether it belongs in your garden. The short answer? This particular member of the goosefoot family (Chenopodium hians) remains something of a botanical mystery, with very limited information available for home gardeners.
What is Hians Goosefoot?
Hians goosefoot is an annual forb – basically a non-woody herbaceous plant that completes its entire life cycle in a single growing season. Like other members of the Chenopodium genus, it’s part of the amaranth family, which includes more familiar garden plants like spinach and quinoa. However, unlike its well-known cousins, this particular species flies well under the radar.
You might occasionally see it listed under the synonym Chenopodium incognitum, which rather fittingly means unknown – a hint at just how little we know about this plant!
Where Does It Grow?
Hians goosefoot is native to both Canada and the United States, with a range that spans from the western provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan down through much of the American West. You’ll find it documented in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
The Garden Reality Check
Here’s where we need to have an honest conversation: there’s precious little information available about growing hians goosefoot in garden settings. Unlike popular native plants that have been extensively studied and cultivated, this species appears to be rarely grown intentionally. We don’t have solid data on:
- Specific growing conditions it prefers
- Mature size and appearance
- Pollinator or wildlife benefits
- Propagation methods
- Garden performance
This lack of cultivation information isn’t necessarily a red flag – it might simply mean the plant is uncommon in the wild or has specific habitat requirements that make it challenging to grow.
Should You Plant It?
Given the limited information available, most gardeners would be better served by choosing other native Chenopodium species or related plants that are better understood and more readily available. Some excellent alternatives include:
- Lamb’s quarters (Chenopodium album) – though this can be weedy
- Native saltbush species (Atriplex spp.)
- Four o’clocks (Mirabilis spp.)
- Other native forbs suited to your specific region
If You’re Determined to Try
Should you happen to find seeds or plants from a reputable native plant source, here are some general guidelines based on what we know about related species:
- As an annual, it would need to be replanted each year or allowed to self-seed
- Most goosefoots prefer well-draining soil
- Many species in this genus are adapted to somewhat alkaline conditions
- Direct seeding in spring is typically the preferred method for annual Chenopodium species
The Bottom Line
While hians goosefoot holds the appeal of being a true native species across much of western North America, the lack of available growing information and apparent rarity in cultivation make it a challenging choice for most gardeners. Your native plant garden will likely be more successful – and provide better wildlife habitat – if you focus on well-documented native species that nurseries can supply and experts can advise you on.
If you’re particularly interested in supporting lesser-known native plants, consider reaching out to native plant societies in your area or botanical gardens that specialize in regional flora. They might have insights into this species or be able to point you toward similar but better-understood alternatives that will give you the native plant garden success you’re looking for.
