Also known as Baconweed · Bathua · Common Lamb's-Quarters
Common Lambsquarters (Chenopodium album) is an edible annual herb with nutritious young leaves, often found as a weed in gardens and disturbed soils.
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Full Sun
100% intensity
Prefers at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth.
Moderate
50% intensity
Allow top inch of soil to dry between waterings. Avoid waterlogged conditions.
Well-drained, fertile soil; tolerates a wide range of soil types
50% intensity
Moderate
50% intensity
Thrives in warm temperatures, typically between 18-24°C. Can tolerate cooler spring and fall conditions.
Low
25% intensity
Does not require heavy feeding; a light application of balanced fertilizer is sufficient.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
| Edible | Yes |
Non-toxic
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Water moderately, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. Avoid waterlogging, as this can lead to root rot.
Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry periods, to encourage healthy growth and prevent premature flowering.
Pruning is generally not required for Chenopodium album, as it is an annual self-seeder. If harvesting for consumption, you can prune the tips regularly to encourage bushier growth.
Remove any dead or diseased foliage to maintain plant health.
Chenopodium album is easily propagated by seed. Sow seeds directly outdoors in spring after the last frost. They germinate readily in warm soil. It readily self-seeds, often becoming a volunteer in subsequent years.
Repotting is not applicable to Chenopodium album as it is typically grown as an annual from seed or is a volunteer plant. If you are growing a specimen in a container and wish to overwinter it, it would require significant care and is generally not practiced.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Common Lambsquarters (Chenopodium album)
Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Caryophyllales |
| Family | Amaranthaceae |
| Genus | Chenopodium |
| Species | Chenopodium album |
Similar in genus Chenopodium
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
