Good King Henry [Chenopodium bonus-henricus]

The perennial Good King Henry is an endangered wild plant species and a delicious spinach-like leaf vegetable plant. Hardy with a high iron and vitamin C content. Ideal for direct sowing, pot cultivation possible, sowing spring-summer-autumn, good for mixed culture, harvest the leaves as spinach.

 Description 
Good King Henry is an ancient, wild and plentiful perennial vegetable plant that was cultivated until the 17th century, before it was destroyed by the growth of modern agriculture, fell into oblivion and was replaced by today's spinach varieties. The species originally comes from the Alps, but is now widespread throughout Europe and can even be found in North America. The hardy plant forms arrow-shaped leaves that are powdered white on the underside and have a high iron and vitamin C content. The taste is similar to spinach and is fresh and mild. The leaves are eaten raw or cooked like spinach. The flowers can be steamed like broccoli.

Good Henry is an endangered wild plant species!

 General information 
Plant family: Amaranthaceae
Life cycle: Perennial
Days to harvest: 100 days
Plant height approx.: 100 cm
Root type: Deep rooter
Nutrient requirements: Medium
Water requirements: Medium
Winter hardiness: Up to -25°C
Location: Sunny
Soil: Permeable, loamy, humus

pH value: 6 to 7.5

 Sowing and planting information 
Germination type: Dark germinator
Sowing depth: 1-2 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 15-20 °C
Germination time: 7-30 days
Plant and row spacing: 25x30 cm

Germination ability of seeds: 2-3 years

 Mixed culture 
Optimal mixed culture: Perennials
Unfavorable mixed culture: -

 Sowing by climate zone 
Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
Direct sowing is recommended from March to June or in autumn from September to October. The ideal location for the plants is sunny to partially shaded.
Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Direct sowing is recommended from the end of April to August. The plants should ideally be planted in a sunny location.

 General recommendations 
Germination is irregular in this species and the germination rate is naturally low. Direct sowing in rows or scattered with subsequent digging is recommended.
Good King Henry ideally prefers a soil that is moist, permeable, nutrient-rich and contains plenty of humus and clay. It does not tolerate waterlogging.

 Additional tips 
The plant gets along well with itself and other perennials. Indicator plant for nitrogen-rich soils. Older leaves increasingly accumulate oxalic acid and should no longer be eaten. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil with good nutrient and water storage capacity, additional incorporation of biochar and primary rock flour is recommended.

 Type of propagation 
Propagation occurs via seeds.

 Plant care 
Loosened, nutrient-rich soil and mixed planting are sufficient. Regular additional watering results in faster growth. No additional fertilization required.

 Other names 
Botanical names: Chenopodium bonus-henricus
English names: Good king henry, Lincolnshire spinach, Goosefoot perennial, Goosefoot, Poor–man's asparagus
German names: Guter Heinrich, Grüner Heinrich, Wilder Spinat, Dorfgänsefuß
Portuguese names: Bom rei henrique
Spanish names: Buen rey enrique, Buen rey henry
French names: Le bon roi henri, Bon roi henri

 Origin 
Country: Germany