Quinoa

Chenopodium quinoa Willd.

Family: AmaranthaceaeOrigin: Andean South America; cultivated as a grain crop worldwide

Grain
Annual
Full Sun

Pet & Human Safety

People: Hazard to peoplePets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Human edibility

Edible with preparation

Edible parts

seed (after rinsing)

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

rinse or soak seeds before cooking to remove the natural saponin coating

Hazard type

bitter/unpalatable taste if saponin coating is not removed

Hazard route

not a poisoning risk at ordinary food-prep levels: a taste and preparation issue

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

no ASPCA entry exists under this or any related common name. No pet-safety verdict is given, because not appearing in a list does not show a plant is safe. see the hazard information below for the separate food-safety picture.

Patent / trademark

not applicable

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: Not checked yet
Water needs: low to moderate Irrigation improves yield.
Mature size: 3-6 ft tall; unbranched (single panicle) or branched (multiple seed-bearing panicles) depending on spacing and variety.

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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