Form: Irregular or sprawling.
Chenopodium album is a ANNUAL growing to 0.9 m by 0.2 m .
It is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to October, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite and is pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light , medium and heavy soils. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic soils and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
An easily grown plant, succeeding in most soils but disliking shade. It prefers a moderately fertile soil. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.5 to 8.3. In moderate amounts this plant is a good companion for potatoes, corn and cucurbits. The plant responds directly to the magnesium content of the soil so it can be used to indicate the presence of that element. Fat hen is occasionally cultivated as a food crop, there is at least one named variety. Called 'Magenta' in reference to the colour of its leaves, it is considered by some people to be the best tasting of all potherbs. Special Features:North American native.
HabitatsA common weed of cultivated groundHabitatsespecially on rich soils and old manure heaps. It is often one of the first weeds to appear on newly cultivated soils.
HabitatsCultivated Beds
HabitatsCultivated Beds