Stinking Goosefoot: The Garden Plant with an Unforgettable Aroma
Meet stinking goosefoot (Chenopodium vulvaria), a plant whose common name tells you everything you need to know about its most memorable characteristic. This annual herb might not win any popularity contests in the gardening world, but it has a fascinating history and some surprisingly practical qualities that make it worth understanding.
What Is Stinking Goosefoot?
Stinking goosefoot is an annual forb – essentially a non-woody herbaceous plant that completes its entire life cycle in one growing season. As a member of the goosefoot family, it’s related to more familiar plants like spinach, beets, and quinoa, though you definitely wouldn’t want this particular cousin on your dinner plate.
The plant gets its memorable name from the strong, fishy odor it produces, which has been compared to rotting fish or trimethylamine. This distinctive smell comes from compounds in the plant’s tissues and becomes particularly noticeable when the leaves are crushed or during hot weather.
Native Status and Distribution
Originally from Europe and western Asia, stinking goosefoot is considered a non-native species in North America. However, it has established itself across many regions and reproduces spontaneously without human intervention. You can find naturalized populations across a wide geographic range, including states from the East Coast to the West Coast and into Canada.
Currently, it grows in Alabama, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Wisconsin, and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec.
Should You Grow Stinking Goosefoot?
This is where things get interesting. While stinking goosefoot isn’t invasive or particularly harmful, there are some compelling reasons why most gardeners might want to skip it:
- The smell factor: That distinctive fishy odor can be quite overwhelming, especially on warm days
- Limited aesthetic appeal: The plant produces small, inconspicuous greenish flowers and unremarkable triangular leaves
- Minimal wildlife value: Its wind-pollinated flowers offer little to pollinators, and it provides limited benefits to other wildlife
However, if you’re interested in historical or medicinal herb gardens, or you’re simply curious about unusual plants, stinking goosefoot might have a place in a corner of your yard where its aroma won’t overwhelm outdoor entertaining areas.
Native Alternatives to Consider
Since stinking goosefoot isn’t native to North America, consider these native alternatives that offer similar growing characteristics but with better wildlife benefits:
- Lamb’s quarters (Chenopodium album): A related native species that’s actually edible and more garden-friendly
- Wild spinach (Chenopodium simplex): Another native goosefoot with similar growing habits
- Four o’clock (Mirabilis nyctaginea): A native annual with more attractive flowers
Growing Conditions and Care
If you do decide to grow stinking goosefoot, you’ll find it’s remarkably easy to cultivate:
- Sunlight: Thrives in full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Tolerates poor soils and isn’t picky about soil type
- Water: Drought tolerant once established; doesn’t require regular watering
- USDA Zones: Can grow as an annual in zones 3-10
Planting and Maintenance Tips
Stinking goosefoot is about as low-maintenance as plants get:
- Starting from seed: Direct sow seeds in spring after the last frost
- Spacing: Give plants about 12-18 inches apart
- Maintenance: Requires virtually no care once established
- Self-seeding: Will readily self-sow if allowed to go to seed
Warning: Because it self-sows easily, keep an eye on stinking goosefoot to prevent it from spreading where you don’t want it. Remove flower heads before they set seed if you want to control its spread.
The Bottom Line
Stinking goosefoot is one of those plants that’s more interesting from a botanical or historical perspective than as a garden ornamental. While it’s not harmful to grow and isn’t considered invasive, its strong odor and limited aesthetic appeal make it a poor choice for most garden situations.
If you’re drawn to unusual plants or maintaining a collection of historical herbs, it might earn a spot in your garden – just plant it downwind from your patio! For most gardeners, though, exploring native alternatives will provide better results and greater benefits to local wildlife.
