How to Grow Huauzontles

At a Glance

Quick Facts

Factor	Value
Soil texture	light, medium or heavy soil, moderately fertile (PFAF, Pumpkin Beth)
Drainage	well-drained
Lifecycle	annual
Edible parts	leaves, flower clusters, seeds

Soil & Growing Conditions

Water: prefers moist soil (PFAF)

Growth Stages

Stage	BBCH	Notes
Sowing	0	Sow seed spring in situ after the last frost; germination is normally very rapid, though seedlings resemble fat hen weed (PFAF, Pumpkin Beth).
Spacing/thinning	1	Space plants 15-20cm (6-8in) apart (Pumpkin Beth).
Leaf growth	3	Grows upright and bushy to 3-5ft tall; leaves harvestable as a vegetable after 7-10 weeks, with excellent heat tolerance (Pumpkin Beth).
Flowering and seed harvest	8	Flowers July to October, seeds ripening August to October; immature flower buds are the prized harvest, resembling small broccoli florets (PFAF, Pumpkin Beth).

Harvest & Storage

When to pick: Leaves can be harvested as a vegetable after 7-10 weeks; the prized immature flower buds, resembling small broccoli florets, are harvested for traditional Mexican dishes. Raw leaves should be eaten only in small quantities due to saponin and oxalic acid content (Pumpkin Beth, PFAF).

Diseases

Quinoa downy mildew

moderate

Peronospora variabilis

Likely rather than confirmed: no source names this crop directly, but it shares a genus (Chenopodium) with Quinoa, which lists this disease.

Pests

Aphids

low

Aphididae (various spp.)

Likely rather than confirmed: no source names this crop directly, but it shares a genus (Chenopodium) with Quinoa, which lists this pest.

Lygus bug

moderate

Lygus spp.

Likely rather than confirmed: no source names this crop directly, but it shares a genus (Chenopodium) with Quinoa, which lists this pest.

Huauzontle, Aztec Broccoli

Watch for saponins and oxalic acid

Contains saponins and oxalic acid -- those with rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones, or hyperacidity should use caution; raw leaves should only be eaten in small quantities.

Sources

1. PFAF (Plants For A Future) - Chenopodium nuttalliae Huauzontle, Nuttall's goosefoot

   A secondary gardening reference rather than a university or horticultural authority, used as the primary source as no RHS or equivalent authority growing profile exists for this species, explicitly disclosed. An annual reaching 0.6m (2ft) tall, flowering July-October, seeds ripening August-October, hermaphrodite and wind-pollinated. Native to southern North America, Mexico. Cannot grow in shade, requires full sun. Soil: light, medium or heavy, mildly acidic to mildly alkaline pH, prefers moist soil. Sow seed spring in situ; germination is normally very rapid, but seedlings resemble fat hen weed, requiring careful identification while weeding. Easily grown in most soils, preferring moderately fertile conditions; historically cultivated in Mexico for edible seeds and flowering shoots; potentially a very productive crop. Edible leaves (cooked), flower clusters (cooked, resembling small broccoli florets), and seeds (cooked). HAZARD: contains saponins and oxalic acid -- those with rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones, or hyperacidity should use caution; raw leaves should only be eaten in small quantities. No pests or diseases documented in this source.

2. Pumpkin Beth - Huauzontle

   A secondary gardening reference rather than a university or horticultural authority, used only for heat-tolerance/spacing/harvest-timing detail PFAF does not cover, not contradicted by it. Grows as an upright, bushy annual, reaching 3-5ft tall, kept shorter with regular harvesting. USDA zones 2a-12 as a warm-season annual. Sow after last frost when soil is warmer (temperate zones), or year-round in sub-tropical/mild-winter areas; space plants 15-20cm (6-8in) apart. Noted for excellent heat tolerance, a good spinach substitute when true spinach bolts. After 7-10 weeks, leaves can be harvested as a vegetable; the flower buds -- immature seed heads, often likened to small broccoli florets -- are a prized culinary component central to many traditional Mexican dishes.

These 2 sources are specific to this region. The full list of 2 sources behind this guide (PFAF (Plants For A Future), Pumpkin Beth) is in the references of our UK guide to huauzontle; they describe the plant itself, which is the same wherever it grows.