Stellaria media
Chickweed
Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Stellaria media.
Plant Properties
Growth conditions
Moist
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Partial shade, Full sun
Usage properties
Leaves, Seed
Bee forage
Description
Young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked as leafy greens and are generally available year-round, except during harsh winters. They are very nutritious and can be added to salads. Cooked leaves have a flavor similar to spring spinach. Note that the leaves contain saponins, so be careful. More information about the toxicity can be found at the top of this page. Nutritional information about the leaves is available. The seeds can be ground into powder and used in bread or thick soups. Harvesting seeds can be challenging because they are available in small quantities for most of the year. The seeds contain 17.8% protein and 5.9% fat.