Chenopodium album aka Lambs Quarters

Taxonomy

Chenopodium album, also known as lamb's quarters, melde, goosefoot, wild spinach, or fat-hen, is a fast-growing weedy annual plant in the genus Chenopodium. It is a versatile plant that can be cultivated in some regions but is generally considered a weed. With its silvery green, lightly toothed leaves that become narrower towards the top and mealy white undersides, this plant can reach up to 2 meters in height. It produces spikes of small, tightly clustered green flowers, which later give way to thousands of seeds per plant. C. album is commonly found in Northern India, Nepal, and Pakistan, where it is extensively cultivated and consumed as a food crop known as bathua. Overall, this upright then recumbent annual plant is characterized by its variable, triangular to spear-shaped, light green leaves and panicles of green, inconspicuous flowers that bloom from summer into early autumn.

Common names

Lambs Quarters, Fat Hen, White Goosefoot

How to care for Lambs Quarters

Difficulty

With its straightforward care requirements, Lambs Quarters is a hassle-free plant that anyone can enjoy.

Water

Lambs Quarters should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Lambs Quarters loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Lambs Quarters requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Fat Hen is always in the right place to thrive.

Toxicity

Lambs Quarters is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

Region of origin

Lambs Quarters’s native range is Most of Europe, including Britain, north to 71° N,. N. and S. Africa, Asia, Australia and N. America.


More info:
Wikipedia