Cornsalad (Valerianella locusta) is an edible annual plant in the Valerianaceae family. It is native to Europe and western Asia, but has naturalized in parts of North America. Cornsalad is a low-growing plant with small, oval-shaped leaves that are bright green in color. The flowers are small and white, and the plant produces small, round fruits. It is usually found growing in disturbed soils, such as along roadsides and in cultivated fields. Cornsalad can be eaten raw or cooked, and is used in salads, soups, and other dishes. It is rich in vitamins and minerals, and is a good source of dietary fiber.
Planning Your Garden With Cornsalad
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Cornsalad is an annual plant. |
| USDA Zone | Cornsalad is hardy in USDA Zones 4-9. |
| Cold Tolerance | Cornsalad can tolerate temperatures as low as 20°F (-7°C). |
| Days to harvest | The minimum number of days to harvest for cornsalad is around 45-60 days. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown cornsalad plant is about 12-18 inches tall and 12-18 inches wide. |
| Spacing requirements | Cornsalad prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Plant seeds 1/2 to 1 inch deep and space plants 6 to 12 inches apart. |
| Sun tolerance | Cornsalad is a sun-loving plant and can tolerate full sun to partial shade. It will grow best in an area that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. |
| Shade tolerance | Cornsalad is a very tolerant plant that can grow in both full sun and partial shade. It can even tolerate some deep shade, but will not produce as much foliage as in full sun. |
| Water requirements | Cornsalad prefers moist, well-draining soil and requires regular watering. It should be watered deeply and evenly once a week, or more often if the soil is dry. It is best to water in the morning, so the soil has time to dry before nightfall. Avoid overwatering, as this can cause the leaves to become limp and discolored. |
| Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer you should use when growing cornsalad depends on the type of fertilizer you are using and the soil conditions. Generally, a light application of a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 5-10-5 should be applied at a rate of 1-2 pounds per 100 square feet. |
| Soil pH | The optimum pH for growing cornsalad is 6.0-7.0. |
Why Cornsalad is Popular
People like to grow cornsalad because it is a fast-growing, nutritious, and tasty vegetable that can be harvested in as little as 30 days. It is easy to grow in a wide range of climates and is a great addition to salads, soups, and other dishes. Cornsalad is also a great source of vitamins and minerals, and it can be eaten raw or cooked.
Companion Plants For Cornsalad
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for cornsalad include:
Common Pests For Cornsalad
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow cornsalad, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- slugs
- caterpillars
- whiteflies
- cutworms
- fungus gnats
- beetles
- aphids
- thrips
- spider mites
- wireworms
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
