Henbit is a cool season annual weed in the mint family introduced from Europe. The common name, Henbit, comes from the observation that chickens like it. Hummingbirds also enjoy this wild edible for the nectar. Henbit provides valuable erosion control in many cropland fields in the southern U.S. Unlike many of its relatives in the mint family, henbit does not have a strong or distinctive mint scent. Henbit does well in full or partial sun and moist to mesic soil that is loamy and fertile. Plants become dormant during hot weather.The plant has a shallow taproot that becomes finely branched and reproduces by reseeding itself, or vegetatively by the stems rooting at the nodes. It can spread aggressively. Henbit is easily confused with Purple Deadnettle ( L. purpureum ), which has petioled leaves all the way to the top leaves. The middle and upper leaves of Henbit do not have petioles. Henbit leaves are also typically smaller than those of Purple Deadnettle ( L. purpureum ). The lower leaves have long petioles, while the upper leaves where the flowers occur are sessile and wrap around the stems. The upper surface of the leaves has conspicuous palmate venation and is slightly hairy. Henbit is an important early-season source of nectar and pollen for honeybees. The leaves, stem, and flowers of the plant are edible and have a slightly sweet and peppery flavor, similar to celery. The long stems, up to 2 feet long, tend to sprawl along the ground.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil drainage
Occasionally Dry
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Medium
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Cordate
Leaf feel
Soft
Leaf value
Edible
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
The leaves are in opposite pairs, often with long internodes. The lower leaves are stalked and the upper ones stalkless, often fused, and clasping the stems. The blades are hairy and kidney-shaped, with rounded teeth. stem; .5-1.5" opposite, scalloped and rounded leaves; lower leaves have a long stalk; upper leaves are half clasping.
Flower color
Pink; Purple/Lavender
Flower form
Cyme
Flower shape
Lipped; Tubular
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Two-lipped tubular hairy lavender flowers whorled around the squarest; upper lip is concave. Each flower is about ½" long and semi-erect. The corolla of this flower is long and narrow at the base, becoming broader with two spreading lips. The lower lip is narrow at the base, but become broader and divided into two rounded lobes along its outer edge. The outer surface of the corolla is pink to purplish pink, while its inner surface is white with a few purplish pink dots. The green calyx is slightly hairy and has 5 narrow teeth; it is much shorter than the corolla. The blooming period occurs primarily during the spring; some plants also bloom during the fall for about a month.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Nut
Fruit detail
Each flower is replaced by 4 nutlets. Three-angled, oblong, and somewhat broader and more rounded at one tip than the other. Its surface is greyish brown with small white speckles.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Green
Stem detail
Frequently branching at the base of the plant. Green or reddish brown stems are 4-angled, nearly glabrous, and up to 2 feet long. They have a tendency to sprawl across the ground, although the new growth of the stems is more erect.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Europe and North Africa
Distribution
Spread to North and South America, Greenland, and Asia.
Wildlife value
Nectar attracts hummingbirds.
Attracts
Bees; Hummingbirds
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Nut
Edibility
Henbit can be eaten raw or cooked.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Lawn
Garden tags
#nectar plant #winter annual weed #cool season weed #hummingbird friendly #erosion control #wildlife friendly #cpp #weedy #branching #spreading #aggressive #taproot