Also known as Goosefoot · 11 saves
Chenopodium
Chenopodium, the genus most gardeners know as goosefoot. We track 7 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 6 most-saved Chenopodium varieties
Browse all 7 Chenopodium varieties →
5 species of Chenopodium
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Chenopodium in Sow
Save the Chenopodium you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Chenopodium
Whats common across all Chenopodium varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 7 most-grown of them.
The Chenopodium year
- Check for PestsJune and July71% of varieties
Monitor foliage for aphids and spider mites during dry summer months.
- HarvestAugust and September57% of varieties
Cut seed heads once the seed rubs free from the panicle.
- PruneMarch, April, August and September57% of varieties
Cut back flower spikes before they set seed to prevent unwanted self-sowing.
- PlantApril and May43% of varieties
Sow seeds directly into warm spring soil after the last frost.
Do
- Sow direct in full sun ☀️
- Thin seedlings to a foot apart 🌱
- Harvest when seed rubs free easily 🌾
- Rinse the seed well before cooking 💧
- Grow in well-drained loamy or clay soils with a neutral to slightly acidic pH.
Avoid
- Expect a crop in a hot, humid summer ❌
- Sow into cold, wet soil ❌
- Cook the seed without rinsing off the saponins ❌
- Do not overwater or plant in poorly drained areas where root rot can develop.
What goes wrong with Chenopodium
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Clusters of small insects on stems and distorted leaf growth. | Knock them off with a strong spray of water or apply insecticidal soap. |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on leaf undersides and yellow stippling on foliage. | Increase humidity around the plant and spray with water or horticultural oil. |
| Leaf miners | Pale winding tunnels within the leaves, mainly in eastern gardens | Pick off mined leaves; the damage rarely affects the seed crop |
| Flea beetles | Small, shot-hole damage on young foliage. | Use row covers on young plants or apply organic insecticidal dusts if damage is severe. |
| Root rot | Wilting, yellowing foliage and mushy, decayed roots. | Plant in well-drained soil and avoid waterlogged conditions. |
| Generally disease-free | No significant disease issues are typical | Space plants for air movement and avoid overhead watering |
| Powdery mildew | White, powdery fungal patches on leaf surfaces. | Ensure adequate spacing for air circulation and avoid overhead watering. |
Making more Chenopodium
Seed
- Collect mature seeds from the dry flower spikes in autumn.
- Sow seeds directly outdoors in early spring onto prepared soil.
- Lightly press seeds into the soil surface without burying them deeply.
- Keep the seedbed moist until germination occurs in mid-spring.
Semi-hardwood cuttings
- Take semi-hardwood cuttings from healthy, non-flowering stems in late summer.
- Dip the cut ends in a rooting hormone powder or gel.
- Insert the cuttings into a well-draining propagation mix of perlite and peat.
- Maintain high humidity and bottom heat under licensed propagation guidelines.
Chenopodium questions
How many types of Chenopodium are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 7 distinct Chenopodium varieties. The most popular — ranked by 11 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Chenopodium grow in?
Across its varieties, Chenopodium covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Chenopodium bloom?
Most Chenopodium varieties bloom in late summer; flowers not showy, summer, spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Chenopodium should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.