Good King Henry: An Old-World Edible Worth Considering
Meet good King Henry (Chenopodium bonushenricus), a plant with a name that sounds like it should be ruling a medieval kingdom rather than growing in your garden! This quirky member of the goosefoot family has been feeding people for centuries, and while it’s not native to North America, it has quietly established itself as a reliable garden companion for those interested in edible landscaping.
What Exactly Is Good King Henry?
Good King Henry is a hardy perennial forb that belongs to the same family as spinach and quinoa. Unlike its annual cousins, this plant comes back year after year, forming clumps of distinctive triangular, arrow-shaped leaves that can reach 2-3 feet in height. The plant produces inconspicuous greenish flower spikes in summer, but it’s really all about those nutritious leaves.
Originally from Europe and Asia, this non-native plant has made itself at home across much of Canada and the northern United States, including New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Newfoundland, and numerous states from Maine to Utah.
Should You Grow Good King Henry?
Here’s where things get interesting. Good King Henry offers several appealing qualities for the right gardener:
- Edible leaves: Young leaves can be eaten raw in salads or cooked like spinach
- Low maintenance: Once established, it pretty much takes care of itself
- Early harvest: One of the first greens available in spring
- Perennial nature: No need to replant annually
- Cold hardy: Thrives in USDA zones 3-9
However, since it’s not native to North America, you might want to consider native alternatives that provide similar benefits while supporting local ecosystems. Plants like wild spinach (Chenopodium album) or lamb’s quarters offer comparable edible qualities and are better suited to supporting native wildlife.
Growing Good King Henry Successfully
If you decide to give good King Henry a try, you’ll find it refreshingly uncomplicated:
Location: Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade. This adaptable plant isn’t too picky about light conditions.
Soil requirements: While it prefers moist, well-draining soil, good King Henry tolerates poor soils remarkably well. It’s not a diva when it comes to soil quality.
Planting: Start from seeds in early spring or fall. The plant readily self-seeds, so you might find volunteer seedlings appearing in subsequent years.
Maintenance: Very minimal! Water during dry spells, and harvest outer leaves regularly to encourage new growth. You can cut the plant back after flowering to promote fresh foliage.
Design Considerations
Good King Henry fits beautifully into cottage gardens, kitchen gardens, and permaculture designs. Its somewhat wild appearance makes it perfect for naturalized areas rather than formal flower beds. Consider placing it near your kitchen door for easy harvesting, or incorporate it into a dedicated herb and edible plant section.
The plant’s modest flowers won’t wow pollinators, but they do attract some minor beneficial insects. If pollinator support is your main goal, you’d be better served by native flowering plants.
A Word of Caution
While good King Henry isn’t considered invasive, it can self-seed readily. Keep an eye on it to prevent unwanted spread, especially if you have natural areas nearby where native plants should take precedence.
The Bottom Line
Good King Henry occupies an interesting niche – it’s a reliable, low-maintenance edible that can earn its place in the right garden setting. While it won’t transform your landscape or provide major ecological benefits like native plants would, it offers a connection to historical food traditions and can be a fun addition to an edible garden. Just remember to balance your plant choices with native species that support local wildlife and ecosystems!
