Nettle-leaved Goosefoot Plant Care

Nettle-leaved Goosefoot (Chenopodiastrum murale) belongs to the Amaranthaceae family within the Chenopodiastrum genus. Nettle-leaved Goosefoot is native to Europe and parts of Asia and northern Africa. Nettle-leaved Goosefoot is also known as Jerusalem Oak, Sowbane.

Nettle-leaved Goosefoot displays an upright, branching shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Nettle-leaved Goosefoot produces small greenish flowers in dense clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Nettle-leaved Goosefoot every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Nettle-leaved Goosefoot thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Chenopodiastrum murale tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Nettle-leaved Goosefoot prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Nettle-leaved Goosefoot to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Nettle-leaved Goosefoot every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Nettle-leaved Goosefoot is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Nettle-leaved Goosefoot can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Nettle-leaved Goosefoot while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Nettle-leaved Goosefoot is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Nettle-leaved Goosefoot can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Nettle-leaved Goosefoot is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Nettle-leaved Goosefoot grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Nettle-leaved Goosefoot is native to Europe and parts of Asia and northern Africa. In cooler regions, grow Nettle-leaved Goosefoot as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.