Good King Henry - Vegetable Seeds

Good King Henry — The Perennial Vegetable That Keeps on Giving

Before spinach dominated the kitchen garden, Good King Henry was the go-to green across European homesteads. This ancient heirloom perennial has been feeding families for centuries — and once you plant it, it will feed yours for years to come.

Three Harvests in One Plant

• Spring shoots — tender and asparagus-like, steamed or sautéed
• Young leaves — mild and earthy, perfect raw in salads
• Mature leaves — cooked just like spinach, rich and satisfying

Why Gardeners Love It

• 🌿 Perennial — plant once, harvest for years
• ☁️ Thrives in partial shade — ideal for spots other vegetables won't grow
• 💪 Packed with vitamins and minerals — a true nutritional powerhouse
• 🔄 Low maintenance — once established, it largely takes care of itself
• 🌱 Permaculture-friendly — a natural fit for food forests and edible landscapes

Whether you're building a self-sustaining garden or simply want a reliable, nutritious green from early spring through fall, Good King Henry earns its place in any serious kitchen garden.

Harvests from early spring through fall. Hardy and adaptable across a wide range of climates.

Growing Instructions

• 🌱 Sow indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost, or direct sow in early spring
• 🌡️ Germination temperature: 50–65°F (10–18°C) — cold stratification for 2 weeks improves germination
• ☀️ Light: Partial shade to full sun
• 💧 Watering: Keep soil consistently moist until established; drought-tolerant once mature
• 🌾 Soil: Rich, well-draining soil with compost worked in
• 📏 Spacing: Thin or transplant to 18–24 inches apart
• ⏳ First harvest: Allow plants to establish for one full season before harvesting heavily
• ✂️ Harvesting: Pick young shoots in spring, leaves throughout the season; cut back in fall
• 🛡️ Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–9 — dies back in winter, returns reliably each spring