Elevate your garden with Leafy Greens Good King Henry, a storied heirloom perennial that delivers season after season of culinary abundance. One of Europe’s oldest cultivated greens, Good King Henry (Chenopodium bonus-henricus) has been grown in kitchen gardens since at least the 16th century. Its perennial nature means years of harvests from a single planting — tender spring shoots reminiscent of asparagus in the first weeks of the season, followed by succulent arrow-shaped leaves ideal for sauting, soups, and authentic European preparations. A true “set it and forget it” garden perennial that also fixes nitrogen and attracts beneficial pollinators.

Why Choose Good King Henry?

• True Perennial: Plant once and harvest for years — in USDA Zones 4–8, established plants return reliably each spring without replanting.
• Dual-Season Harvest: Spring shoots used like asparagus; mature leaves and flowering shoots harvested like spinach throughout the growing season.
• Ancient Heirloom: Cultivated in European kitchen gardens since the 1500s — one of the most historically significant edible perennials.
• Nitrogen Fixer: Improves soil fertility naturally — a productive and functional companion plant.
• Pollinator Magnet: Flowering spikes attract bees and beneficial insects throughout summer.
• Heirloom & Open-Pollinated: Save seeds year after year for a self-sustaining garden.
• Non-GMO: DNA structure never altered from natural traditional breeding methods.

Planting Tips for Success

• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade — tolerates more shade than most vegetables, making it ideal for partially shaded garden spots.
• Soil: Moist, fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0. Amend with compost before planting. Tolerates clay soils better than most greens.
• Cold Stratification (Recommended): Soak seeds for 24 hours, then refrigerate in a damp paper towel for 2–4 weeks before sowing. This significantly improves germination rates.
• Planting: Start seeds in small pots (4×4 inch minimum) indoors, pressing seeds onto the surface — they need light to germinate. Keep at 60–65°F. Germination takes 2–4 weeks. Do not direct sow.
• Transplanting: Once seedlings reach 3–4 inches tall, transplant to larger pots or outdoors after last frost. Handle roots gently — Good King Henry dislikes root disturbance.
• Spacing: Space plants 12–18 inches apart. Established clumps spread slowly over time.
• Watering: Keep consistently moist, especially through the first season while plants establish. Drought-tolerant once mature.
• Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring as new growth emerges. Minimal feeding needed after the first year.
• Harvesting: Do not harvest the first year — allow plants to establish fully. From year 2 onward: harvest young spring shoots at 4–6 inches; pick mature leaves throughout the season before flowering. Always leave at least half the plant intact.

Why Choose David's Garden Seeds®?

• Veteran-Owned: Supplying premium seeds since 2009.
• GO TEXAN Certified: Supporting local agriculture and communities.
• Integrity Pledge: We pledge to sell only non-GMO, open-pollinated seeds. Read our Safe Seed Integrity Pledge.
• Vegetable Seed License: All seeds sold under our standard Vegetable Seed License.

Cooking Methods & Uses

• Asparagus Substitute: Blanch young spring shoots in salted water for 3–4 minutes and serve with butter and lemon — remarkably similar to asparagus in flavor and texture.
• Sauted Greens: Wilt mature leaves in olive oil with garlic and red pepper flakes as a side dish or pasta topping.
• Soups & Stews: Add leaves to vegetable soups, minestrone, or bean stews in the last few minutes of cooking — wilts like spinach.
• Quiche & Frittata: Chop and fold into egg dishes for an earthy, mineral-rich greens addition.
• Traditional European: Prepare in the classic English style — steam leaves, drain well, and serve with butter as a simple side vegetable in the tradition of medieval kitchen gardens.

Order Good King Henry Seeds Today

Order yours today and grow your own fresh Good King Henry greens in your spring and fall gardens.

Nutritional Information

(Applies to harvested Good King Henry leaves, not seeds. Per 1 cup (30g) raw, approximate — closely related to lamb’s quarters/spinach nutritional profile.)

• Calories: 7
• Protein: 0.9g
• Total Carbohydrate: 1.1g
• Dietary Fiber: 0.4g
• Vitamin K: 145% DV
• Vitamin A: 56% DV
• Vitamin C: 15% DV
• Iron: 5% DV
• Calcium: 4% DV

Important Disclosures

• Variety Disclaimer: Good King Henry is a slow-to-establish perennial. Do not harvest the first year. Germination is slower and more variable than annual vegetables — cold stratification strongly recommended.
• Seed Storage: Store seeds in a cool, dry location. Properly stored seeds maintain viability for 2–3 years.
• Planting Zones: Perennial in USDA Hardiness Zones 4–8. Grown as an annual in Zones 9–11 where summer heat limits long-term establishment. Goes dormant in winter and re-emerges each spring in appropriate zones.

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