Cosmopolitan weed and one of the most nutritious wild greens — comparing favourably with spinach but without its oxalate content. Among the oldest cultivated plants in Europe.
Hardiness ratings
| System | Rating | Temperature range | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA hardiness zone | Zone 2–10 | −45.6 °C to 4.4 °C | Zones where it can be grown as an annual — not a frost-tolerance rating |
| RHS hardiness rating | H7 | down to −20 °C | Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance |
| Canadian plant hardiness zone | Zone 2–9 | −40 °C and warmer | Zones where it can be grown as an annual — not a frost-tolerance rating |
| Australian (ANBG) zone | Zone 1–6 | −15 °C to 15 °C | Zones where it can be grown as an annual — not a frost-tolerance rating |
As a tender annual, Fat hen (Lamb's quarters) doesn't overwinter — the zone range shows where the growing season supports it. See the RHS rating for its actual cold tolerance.
Growing notes
- Dynamic accumulator — concentrates nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, and potassium
- Indicator plant for fertile, recently-disturbed soil
- Self-seeds prolifically; harvest before flowering for best leaf quality
Categories
Related plants
Cross-check Fat hen (Lamb's quarters) against your zones