Overview
Chenopodium robertianum is an annual to short-lived herb in the family Amaranthaceae, growing 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) tall on erect, branching, ridged stems. The leaves are alternate, broadly triangular to rhombic, 0.8-2.4 inches (2-6 cm) long, with shallowly toothed margins and a mealy grey-green surface formed by minute bladder hairs that give a powdery feel. Small green flowers without petals are borne in dense clusters along the upper stems and in the leaf axils from late spring through summer. Each flower produces a single seed enclosed in the persistent flower segments; seeds are flattened, dark, and about 0.04 inch (1 mm) across. Growth is rapid in warm weather, with plants completing their cycle within one season. The foliage and stems become coarse and the lower leaves yellow as seed sets. The species grows on disturbed ground, floodplains, and seasonally moist depressions, and dies back after seeding. Plants self-seed readily and can form dense stands where soil is bare.
Native Range
Native to Australia, occurring across inland and southern regions on floodplains, claypans, and seasonally moist disturbed ground. Grows in a range of soils, including clay and loam, in areas subject to periodic flooding or run-on moisture.Suggested Uses
Grown occasionally as a leafy pot-herb, with young leaves and shoots used after cooking. Suited to informal native food gardens and revegetation of moist, disturbed ground. The self-seeding habit suits naturalistic plantings but can spread into cultivated beds.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 3'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Colors
Bloom Information
Flowers from late spring through summer, with timing tied to soil moisture and temperature. Flowering and seed set often follow rainfall or flooding, so plants on drier sites flower briefly while those on moist ground flower over several weeks. The green flowers are inconspicuous and merge with the foliage.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Mealy grey-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows readily from seed sown directly onto moist soil in warm weather and needs no special treatment to establish. Plants grow in full sun and tolerate a wide range of soils, including clay and saline ground, provided some moisture is available during growth. Water during dry spells to extend the growing period, as plants set seed and die back quickly under drought stress. No significant pests or diseases affect the species, though aphids may gather on soft new growth. Seed drops within weeks of flowering and germinates readily, producing volunteer seedlings in the following season.Pruning
Pinching the growing tips of young plants produces a bushier form and delays flowering. No structural pruning is needed, as plants are short-lived and die after seeding. Spent plants can be cut at the base once seed has set.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons
⚠️ Toxicity Warning
UnknownPlanting Guide
Planting Methods & Timing
Planting Method
direct sow
Direct Sow Timing
Spring, after the last frost
Plant Spacing
12 inches