Corn Salad
Valerianella locusta
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Pl. 34E8 — Valerianella locusta
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IOverview
Overview
Corn Salad, scientifically known as Valerianella locusta, is an annual plant native to regions across Europe and North Africa, including Albania, Algeria, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, and others listed in the data. This edible plant thrives in a variety of soils—light, medium, or heavy—and prefers full sun with both dry and moist conditions. Corn Salad reaches a height of about 0.3 meters and is known for its ornamental value as well as its use in culinary dishes where it can be enjoyed as leaves or flowers. Its adaptability to different environments makes it a versatile addition to gardens and landscapes.
Quick answers
What is Corn Salad?
Corn Salad, scientifically known as Valerianella locusta, is an annual plant native to regions across Europe and North Africa, including Albania, Algeria, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, and others listed in the data.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Corn Salad thrives in full sun and prefers well-draining soil that can be light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is drought-tolerant but will also grow in moist conditions. This annual plant is hardy in zones 4-8 and reaches a height of about 0.3 meters. For cultivation, sow seeds directly into the garden bed during spring or fall. Harvest the leaves and flowers for culinary use throughout the growing season.
Light
Full sun
Water
Dry, Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
4-8
Life cycle
Annual
Mature size
0.3 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Corn Salad for the first time
8steps
Corn Salad is a simple annual that thrives in various conditions, making it perfect for beginners.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or seedlings, a small trowel, and a watering can.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost or in late summer for fall harvests.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a spot with full sun. Prepare soil that is light, medium, or heavy but well-draining.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds 0.5 cm deep in rows 30 cm apart. Transplant seedlings when they have two true leaves.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep soil moist until germination, which takes about 7-14 days. Thin plants to 20 cm apart once established.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water regularly but avoid overwatering. Mulch around the base for moisture retention and weed control.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Pick outer leaves when young and tender, leaving inner ones to continue growing. Prune any yellowed or diseased foliage.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting too deep, neglecting thinning, not providing enough sunlight, and using unsuitable soil types.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:FlowersLeaves
Edible uses: Corn Salad is eaten for its leaves and flowers. The young leaves are typically picked fresh and used raw in salads or cooked as a green vegetable. The flowers can also be added to salads or consumed fresh. Both parts add a mild, slightly bitter flavor to dishes.
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across2 continents· 30 native
Europe20 regions
native (20)AustriaBelarusBelgiumBulgariaDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryIrelandItalyNetherlandsNorwayPolandPortugalRomaniaRussiaUkraineUnited Kingdom
Africa1 region
native (1)Morocco
Broader regions
native:Baltic States, Czechoslovakia, East Aegean Is.
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
Explore further
Companion planting
Growing zone
XII
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Back to the cataloguePlant id · 34e8dee6-7cf2-4e26-955b-2dd2d9b86b60
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