How to grow Good King Henry in New Zealand
Good King Henry is an old European cottage-garden perennial, sometimes called poor man's asparagus. Its young spring shoots are cooked like asparagus and its arrow-shaped leaves like spinach. It is very hardy, dies down in winter and comes back each spring, so it suits cooler gardens and shady corners where other greens struggle.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Good King Henry in New Zealand
At a glance
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | August to October, January to April | |
| Auckland | August to October, January to April | |
| Waikato & Bay of Plenty | August to October, January to April | |
| Central North Island | August to October, January to April | |
| Wellington & Lower North Island | August to October, January to April | |
| Nelson & Marlborough | August to October, January to April | |
| Canterbury | August to April | Plant Aug to Apr so roots establish before the hard frosts. |
| Otago & Southland | September to April | Plant Sep to Apr so roots establish before the hard frosts. |
| Central Otago | September to March | Plant Sep to Mar so roots establish before the hard frosts. |
Where to plant
Good King Henry grows in full sun through to shade, depending on where you live. In hot, dry eastern districts give it some shade. It is not fussy about soil and does not need high fertility, though leaf production is better in rich soil with compost. It does need enough moisture through summer.
As a perennial it stays in the same spot for years, so put it at the edge of a vegetable bed, in a perennial patch or under fruit trees where it can be left undisturbed.
- Most of the North Island, Wellington and Nelson and Marlborough: sow or plant from August to October or from January to April. In the warm, humid north it grows best with afternoon shade.
- Canterbury: plant from August to April so roots establish before the hard frosts.
- Otago and Southland: plant from September to April so roots establish before the hard frosts. Cool gardens suit it well.
- Central Otago: plant from September to March so roots establish before the hard frosts.
How to plant
- Sow seed shallowly in pots or direct in spring or autumn, or plant a bought plant.
- Seed can be slow and patchy to germinate. A spell of cold, moist conditions helps, so autumn or very early spring sowing outdoors often works best.
- Thin or plant at about 30 to 45 cm apart.
- Water in and keep moist while young plants establish.
- Leave plants to grow and build up for their first year before harvesting much.
Watering and feeding
Keep the soil moist through summer, as dry plants turn bitter and run to seed. Mulch helps.
Side-dress with compost once or twice a year, in spring as growth starts and again in summer after the main shoot harvest.
Pruning and care through the year
- The tops die down in winter and regrow from the crown in spring, so mark where the plants are.
- Warm weather and long days make it flower. Pick regularly to keep leaves coming, and cut back flowering stems if you want more leaf.
- After the spring shoot harvest you can cut the plant back for a second flush.
Harvesting
In spring, cut the young shoots as they appear and cook them like asparagus. Stop cutting shoots as summer arrives and let the plant grow on.
Pick the leaves a few at a time from late spring to autumn, taking outer leaves and leaving the centre. Young leaves taste best; large old ones get bitter. The leaves contain oxalic acid, like spinach, so eat them raw only in small amounts and cook them for larger helpings. The flower buds can be cooked like sprouting broccoli.
Growing in pots
It will grow in a pot at least 30 cm wide in good potting mix, kept moist and in part shade. Plants in the ground are more productive.
Varieties
- Good King Henry
Companion planting
Good King Henry is a long-lived, shade-tolerant perennial, so it fits food forest and orchard plantings well.
Good companions
- Fruit trees It tolerates the dappled shade under trees and can be left undisturbed there for years.
Pests and diseases
Good King Henry has few problems. Slugs and snails on the spring shoots are the main nuisance.
Pests to watch for
- Slugs New shoots and young leaves chewed in spring, with slime trails.
- Snails New shoots and young leaves chewed in spring, with slime trails.
Good King Henry is rarely troubled by disease.
Common questions
What does Good King Henry taste like?
The leaves taste like a slightly stronger spinach and the spring shoots are eaten like asparagus, which is why it is called poor man's asparagus. It is a relative of fat hen and quinoa.
Can you eat Good King Henry raw?
Only in small amounts. The leaves are high in oxalic acid and can taste bitter, so cook them like spinach for larger helpings.
Does Good King Henry grow well in New Zealand?
Yes. It has been grown here for well over a century and has naturalised in places. It is very hardy and does especially well in cooler and southern gardens. In hot, dry or humid northern gardens give it some shade and steady water.
When can I start harvesting?
Let a new plant establish for its first year with only light picking. From the second spring, cut the young shoots, then pick leaves through to autumn.
Why has my Good King Henry disappeared in winter?
It is winter dormant. The tops die down in late autumn and new shoots come up from the crown in spring.
Will Good King Henry grow in shade?
Yes. It grows from full sun to shade, and in hot, dry districts it does better with some shade.
Sources we checked: Kahikatea Farm (NZ organic nursery): Good King Henry; Harvest to Table: How to grow, harvest and serve Good King Henry; NZ Plant Conservation Network: Blitum bonus-henricus.