Photo: zebedeugalinhaCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Lambs Quarters Plant Care
Chenopodium album L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant is easily recognized by its diamond-shaped, toothed leaves. Originating from Europe and Asia, it is highly sought after by collectors for its edible young shoots and leaves, as well as its ability to thrive in diverse climates.
Every 3–5 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Lambs Quarters?
Water Lambs Quarters every 3–5 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Lambs Quarters Native To?
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
What Is the Lambs Quarters?
Lambs Quarters (Chenopodium album) belongs to the Amaranthaceae family within the Chenopodium genus. Lambs Quarters is native to Europe, Asia. Lambs Quarters is also known as Lambsquarters, Fat hen, White goosefoot.
Lambs Quarters displays an upright annual herb growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Lambs Quarters produces small, inconspicuous flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Lambs Quarters?
Chenopodium album requires watering every 3–5 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 3–5 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Lambs Quarters Need?
Lambs Quarters thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Lambs Quarters Prefer?
Chenopodium album grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Lambs Quarters prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Lambs Quarters?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Lambs Quarters to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Lambs Quarters?
Feed Lambs Quarters every 4 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 4 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Lambs Quarters?
Annual repotting in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Lambs Quarters?
Lambs Quarters can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to pitseed goosefoot plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Lambs Quarters Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Lambs Quarters, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Lambs Quarters?
Lambs Quarters is susceptible to aphids, leaf miners, 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Lambs Quarters Need?
Lambs Quarters grows outdoors in USDA Zone 3a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 3a. Lambs Quarters is native to Europe, Asia.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 3a – 10b
Keep exploring plants
Lambs Quarters is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Chenopodium genus — compare its care with other Chenopodium species on PlantoScan.
Chenopodium is part of the Amaranthaceae plant family — browse all Amaranthaceae genera and species.
Lambs Quarters thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Chenopodium Species
Other Chenopodium species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Chenopodium album L., family Amaranthaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 219 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Lambs Quarters, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: zebedeugalinha, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 3a – 10b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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