Huauzontle
Chenopodium nuttalliae
Also known as: Aztec broccoli, Quelite, Mexican huauzontle, Pollito, Chia roja
Quick facts
- Category
- leafy greens
- Difficulty
- intermediate
- Days to harvest
- 70 to 110 days
- Harvest type
- single harvest then replant
- Spacing
- 30 cm between plants
Environment
- Temperature
- 13–28°C
- pH
- 6 to 7.5
- EC (hydroponic)
- 1.2 to 1.8 mS/cm
- Daily light
- 14 to 20 mol/m²/day
Climate and zones
- USDA zones
- 6 to 11 (winter low around -23°C or warmer)
- Frost tolerance
- frost sensitive (dies at first frost)
- Season
- warm (summer crops, frost-sensitive)
Viable growing environments:
- outdoor in growing season (annual)
- unheated greenhouse / hoop house
- heated greenhouse
USDA zone bounds reflect outdoor year-round survival. Anywhere outside the bounded zone range, this crop still grows as an annual in the warm months (outdoor_seasonal), under cover (greenhouse), or indoors under lights.
Growing systems
Huauzontle works in:
- soil bed
- media bed (ebb and flow)
- wicking bed
Growing media
The substrate the roots sit in. Choice depends on the system (clay pebbles don't fit NFT channels; rockwool isn't used in media beds) and the crop (huauzontle works in the media listed below).
| Medium | pH effect | Water retention | Bacterial surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soil-based mix (Potting soil) | varies by source | high | high |
| Coco coir (Coconut coir) | slightly acidic | high | moderate |
Bacterial surface area matters for aquaponics: clay pebbles, lava rock, and pumice double as biofilter substrate. Low-surface media (rockwool, perlite, pea gravel) work in hydroponics but need a separate biofilter in aquaponics.
Nutrient demand by stage
NPK ratios are relative weights at each growth stage; the nutrient mix calculator scales them to absolute grams or ml. EC targets shift through the plant's life: seedlings need a much lighter solution than fruiting adults.
| Stage | N | P | K | EC target (mS/cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| seedling | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.7 |
| vegetative | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1.5 |
Aquaponics suitability
Compatible with typical aquaponics nutrient profiles. Fish waste provides enough nitrogen for healthy growth; supplemental potassium, calcium, and iron may still be needed depending on fish stocking density.
Care notes
A specialty crop for adventurous hydroponic growers interested in pre-Columbian Mexican foods. EC 1.5-2.5 mS/cm. pH 6.0-7.5. Temperature: 18–28°C. Moderate to high light (DLI 14-22 mol/m2/day). Media beds or large containers (the plants are tall). From seed to flower cluster harvest: 70-90 days. Harvest the flower clusters when buds are tight and dark green, before any tiny flowers open. The clusters are removed from the woody central stem and typically prepared by blanching briefly, then battering and frying, or by sauteing with garlic and chile. The leaves are also edible (cook like spinach). Seeds are available from Mexican seed suppliers and some specialty heirloom seed companies. The plant grows vigorously in warm conditions and is relatively pest-free. For growers who want to explore authentic Mexican cuisine beyond the standard peppers-and-tomatoes, huauzontle is a unique crop with deep cultural significance.
Verified against: instituto-nacional-de-investigaciones-forestales-agricolas-y-pecuarias-mexico, native-seeds-search, u-of-veracruz-mexico. Last reviewed 2026-05-15.