Good King Henry [Chenopodium bonus-henricus]

Good king Henry is an ancient perennial, wild and rich vegetable plant that was cultivated until the 17th century, before it was destroyed by the growth of today's agriculture, fell into oblivion and was replaced by today's spinach varieties. The hardy plant forms arrow-shaped leaves that are covered in white flour 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 inflorescences can be used steamed like broccoli.

Good King 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 eater
Water requirements: Medium
Winter hardiness: Up to -25 °C
Location: Sunny until semi shady
Soil: Permeable, moist, loamy, humus

pH value: 6 to 7,5

Sowing and planting information
Germ 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

Optimal mixed culture: 
Unfavorable mixed culture: 

Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
Sow directly outdoors from March to June or in autumn from September to October.

Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Sow directly outdoors from the end of April to August.

General
Germination in this species is irregular and the germination rate is naturally low. Sow directly in rows or spread out.
Good Heinrich prefers a sunny to partially shaded location with a permeable, deep, nutrient-rich, humus-rich and loamy soil. Prepare the soil with seasoned animal manure. Avoid 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 consumed. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil, we recommend additional incorporation of biochar and primary rock powder.

Type of propagation
It spreads via seeds.

Plant care
Regular watering causes faster growth. Beds prepared with animal manure and planting in mixed culture replace additional fertilizer.

Germination ability of seeds: 2-3 years

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