ORDERS FOR DELIVERY THIS YEAR HAVE NOW CLOSED. THE OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED FROM COB TUES 23 DECEMBER, RE-OPENING MONDAY 19 JANUARY, AND FIRST ORDERS FOR 2026 WILL GO OUT FROM MONDAY 26 JANUARY. WE WISH ALL OUR CUSTOMERS ALL THE BEST FOR BOTH THE FESTIVE AND THE GROWING SEASON. NGA MIHI O TE KIRIHIMETE ME TE TAU HOU:)
good-king henry-chenopodium-bonus-henricus-kahikatea-farm
good-king-henry-chenopodium-bonus-henricus-potted-plant-kahikatea-farm
good-king henry-chenopodium-bonus-henricus-kahikatea-farm

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Good King Henry

Blitum bonus-henricus (formerly Chenopodium)

$12.50

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Hardy cottage garden leaf vegetable native to central and southern Europe and much cultivated in Britain in former times. It is related to fat hen and quinoa, however it is a more distant cousin than was thought –  in  2012 the species was reclassified from Chenopodium to Blitum. Indeed it was unusual in being a perennial Chenopodum species, but it does shares similar characteristics such as the triangular shaped leaves and downy silvery seed heads.  Good King Henry is winter dormant, with the leaves appearing again in spring right on cue in the hungry gap- an early provider of nutritious green shoots and leaves. Height to 100cm when going to seed.

9cm pot

Photos: Kahikatea Farm

Cultivation

Plant in full sun through to shade, depending on what part of the country you are in – in hot dry eastern areas some shade is preferable.  Needs adequate amounts of moisture through summer (it’s from Britain after all!). Not too fussy as to soil type and does not need particularly fertile soil, although leaf production will be better in richer soils.

Uses

Harvest the new shoots in spring to use like asparagus – cook the shoots in bundles for about 7 minutes and serve with butter. The plant can be cut back for a second crop. Afterwards allow leaf growth, and harvest the leaves into summer. These are high in iron, and vitamins A and C and can be used raw (in small quantities only, due to the oxalic acid content and bitter taste) or cooked. They can be steamed like spinach, stir fried, added to soups, stews, omelettes etc.  Young flower buds can be eaten lightly cooked, and the seeds, though small, are easily harvested and can be ground and mixed with other flours. Soak overnight and rinse before using to remove saponins.

Medicinal Uses

The plant was once known as Mercury goosefoot, after the Roman god of medicine. It has been used historically to purify the blood and relieve constipation.

History / Folklore / Further Info

In the late 19th century, the French gardening writer Vilmorin-Andrieux referred to the early shoots as ‘Lincolnshire Asparagus’, commented that it was widely grown in the gardens of Lincolnshire farmers, and described it as “a good vegetable for the English”. Mrs Grieves, in her Modern Herbal (1931), also mentioned its use as a spinach-like vegetable in Lincolnshire.

Shipping Advice

N.B. Shipping costs are added AFTER you have placed your order, you will then be emailed an invoice with bank details. 

Smallest box rate:
This can fit up to 9 plants in 9cm pots.

Shipping a single tree can be expensive. We may be able to fit more in the box for the same price! See our shipping rates for single and multi tree boxes.

Combining sizes?
No problem, we will work out the best rate for you once you’ve placed your order.

Full list of shipping rates HERE

Medical disclaimer

Jo has a passion for growing herbs but is not a qualified herbalist and has no medical background.

We are lucky to have Patricia Beagle working here at times, who is qualified, and some of her advice does appear on these pages, but herbs act differently for different people and can interact with other medicines. We therefore always recommend that you consult with your own qualified health-care practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing or on any medications.

Kahikatea Farm cannot take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants or a plant not having the effect it is reputed to have. 

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