How to Grow Good King Henry in New Zealand
Updated June 2026
An old European perennial green. Young spring shoots are eaten like asparagus and the leaves used like spinach. Very cold-hardy, so it does especially well in cooler and southern gardens, and is low maintenance once established.
When to plant good king henry in New Zealand
Timing is everything in New Zealand, where the warm north and the cooler south are weeks apart. Sow or plant in these months for your region:
| Region | When to sow or plant |
|---|---|
| Northland | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Auckland | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Waikato & BoP | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Wellington | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Nelson & Marlborough | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Canterbury | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Otago & Southland | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Central Otago | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
Best good king henry varieties for NZ
- Good King Henry, Hardy perennial leaf and shoot vegetable related to spinach and quinoa. (Kings Seeds, Egmont Seeds)
How to grow good king henry
- Space plants about 40cm apart.
- Sow seed around 0.5cm deep.
- Position: part shade.
- Ready to harvest in roughly 90 days.
- Seeds germinate in about 21 days.
Companion planting
Grow good king henry near: Fruit trees.
Pests and problems
Watch for: Slugs, Snails. See our NZ pest and disease guide for organic control.
🌱 Plant Good King Henry in your garden →For a calendar tuned to your exact region, see the New Zealand planting guides or the Good King Henry plant page.
FAQ
When is the best time to plant good king henry in New Zealand?
In the warm north (Auckland, Northland) sow in January, February, March, April, August, September, October. Cooler regions plant a little later. Check the table above for your region.
Where can I buy good king henry seeds or plants in NZ?
Try Kings Seeds, Egmont Seeds.