How to Grow Good King Henry in Australia
A cool-season leafy crop for the home garden
Growing Good King Henry rewards a little local know-how, and in the right season the plants do most of the work for you. It is rated beginner to grow. Free perennial green once established. Produces for years with zero effort.
This guide covers when to plant Good King Henry in your region, the position and soil it likes, how to sow and space it, day-to-day care, the pests and diseases to watch, and how to harvest and store your crop.
When to Plant in Your Region
Good King Henry is a cool-season crop, fully frost-hardy. In subtropical South-East Queensland it is sown in March, April, May, June, July and August. Timing shifts with your climate, so choose your region below for a local calendar.
Varieties to Try
Good King Henry
Standard species. Hardy perennial to 70cm. Arrow-shaped leaves, asparagus-like spring shoots.
Try: Eden Seeds, Green Harvest, Diggers
Position and Soil
Give Good King Henry part sun to light shade. It does best in free-draining soil with a pH around 6 to 7.5. Dig through plenty of compost before planting, and mulch to hold moisture and keep weeds down. It grows happily in a pot of 30cm+, which makes it a fine choice for balconies and courtyards.
Sowing and Spacing
Sow seed on the surface, barely covered. Thin or space plants to about 40 cm apart. Seedlings usually appear in around 21 days, fastest when the soil is between 10 and 18 degrees.
Chenopodium bonus-henricus. Ancient European perennial green related to quinoa and spinach. Young shoots eaten like asparagus in spring, leaves used like spinach year-round. Extremely cold-hardy. Best in Melbourne, Hobart and Canberra gardens. Low maintenance once established. A serious permaculture plant.
Care
Water consistently, roughly 4 L per plant every 3 days in warm weather, less in cool or wet spells. Feed every few weeks through the growing season with a balanced organic fertiliser, and keep mulch topped up.
Pests and Diseases
Keep an eye out for Few. The main diseases to watch are Few. Good spacing, watering at the base rather than over the leaves, and crop rotation prevent most problems. See our Pest and Disease Guide to identify and fix any issue.
Harvesting and Storage
Good King Henry is typically ready to harvest in around 90 days (about 3 months). Use fresh within 2-3 days. Best harvested as needed from the garden.
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, good king henry is good young shoots steamed like asparagus, leaves cooked like spinach, added to soups and stews and seeds ground as a flour supplement. Nutritionally: rich in iron and vitamins A and C and high in protein for a leafy green.
Companion Planting
Good King Henry grows well alongside Fruit trees. Our Companion Planting Guide has the full pairings.
Track Your Good King Henry Growing
Add good king henry to your garden in the Planting Season app and get reminders for planting, care and harvest, tuned to your region.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Good King Henry in Australia?
Good King Henry is a cool-season crop. In subtropical regions like South-East Queensland it is sown in March, April, May, June, July and August. Timing changes with your climate, so use the calendar above for your region.
How long does Good King Henry take to grow?
Good King Henry is generally ready to harvest in around 90 days (about 3 months).
Can I grow Good King Henry in a pot?
Yes. Good King Henry grows well in a container of 30cm+ with free-draining mix and regular watering.
How much sun does Good King Henry need?
Give it part sun to light shade for the healthiest growth and best harvest.
See also: Good King Henry in the Plant Library
