Good King Henry Plant Care
Chenopodium bonus-henricus L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Blitum bonus-henricus, also called Good-King-Henry, poor-man's asparagus, perennial goosefoot, Lincolnshire spinach, Markery, English mercury, or mercury goosefoot, is a species of goosefoot which is native to much of central and southern Europe.
Every 3–5 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Good King Henry?
Water Good King Henry 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 Good King Henry Native To?
What Is the Good King Henry?
Good King Henry (Chenopodium bonus-henricus) belongs to the Amaranthaceae family within the Chenopodium genus. Good King Henry is native to much of central and southern Europe. Good King Henry is also known as Mercury, Fat Hen, All-Good.
Good King Henry displays an upright annual herb growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Good King Henry produces small, inconspicuous flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Good King Henry?
Chenopodium bonus-henricus 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 Good King Henry Need?
Good King Henry thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Good King Henry Prefer?
Chenopodium bonus-henricus grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Good King Henry prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Good King Henry?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Good King Henry to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Good King Henry?
Feed Good King Henry 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 Good King Henry?
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 Good King Henry?
Good King Henry can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to lambs quarters plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Good King Henry Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Good King Henry, 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 Good King Henry?
Good King Henry 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 Good King Henry Need?
Good King Henry grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Good King Henry is native to much of central and southern Europe. In cooler regions, grow Good King Henry as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Good King Henry 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.
Good King Henry 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 bonus-henricus L., family Amaranthaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 218 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Good King Henry, 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.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Good King Henry Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species