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Hardiness: USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F) USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F) USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F) USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F) USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F) USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F) USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F) USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F) USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F) USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
Sun Exposure: Partial to Full Shade
Danger: All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Bloom Color: Pale Green Green White/Near White Inconspicuous/none
Bloom Time: Mid Spring
Foliage: Herbaceous
Other details: Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater This plant is resistant to deer
Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information: Non-patented
Propagation Methods: By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets) From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
Seed Collecting: Seed does not store well; sow as soon as possible
On Oct 26, 2007, creekwalker from Benton County, MO (Zone 5a) wrote:
I have not found this plant growing wild in my woods, however, I did take a few plants from my parents land(they had large patches of it growing wild), a couple of hundred miles from me and transplanted it and it thrived. I had to transplant it again when I moved, but now it has a nice home in the woods. It survived the second transplant even. It seems to be fairly hardy and I hope it continues to do well and multiply.
It spreads from runners under the ground. I have actually used this medicinally though you have to be very careful. Goldenseal is poisonous. But in the right amounts, it is good as an antibiotic and I have successfully used it as that without prescription drugs. I had made a small amount of tincture using vodka and the Goldenseal root. The roots need to be at least 4 or 5 years old, I believe.
A good antibiotic substitute though is Oregon Grape and I do not promote wildcrafting this herb for use. I will probably never touch mine. I had used a couple of the roots I dug for transplanting and haven't made any since. It is an endangered plant and needs to be protected.
On Feb 10, 2006, HawaiiBill from Kea`au, HI (Zone 11) wrote:
I've entered into an effort to cultivate goldenseal in Hawai`i. There are those who believe it needs a freeze but finding any authority for that is difficult. I would very much appreciate any notes on efforts to grow this root in a tropical setting. My come from a Southern state but, as you all know, it freezes in the Southeast regularly.
I'm going to plant my three roots in different settings, one in a hole in a shady 'ohia forest and the other two in cinder and soil mix of different percentages raised on tables. Wish me well!
On Apr 27, 2005, DiOhio from Corning, OH (Zone 6a) wrote:
It is also known as Yellowroot. It is dug and sold for medicinal purposes. I'm not sure what price it brings today but about 9 years ago it only brought about $15.00 per dried pound (that's a lot of dried root to make a pound !).
I'm happy to say that my woods have many large colonies of it growing.
On May 30, 2003, lupinelover from Grove City, OH (Zone 6a) wrote:
This plant is endangered in the wild in most parts of the US. To help prevent its extinction, gardeners should ensure that plants are nursery propagated rather than collected.
It has been used since antiquity as an herb, otherwise it is fairly un-interesting to look at. Blooms are insignificant, although the foliage is attractive.
Regional...
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
Cullman, Alabama Cape Elizabeth, Maine Mashpee, Massachusetts Minneapolis, Minnesota Ballwin, Missouri Cole Camp, Missouri Piedmont, Missouri Plainfield, New Jersey Glouster, Ohio Williamsburg, Ohio Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania Cosby, Tennessee Viola, Tennessee Stanwood, Washington Augusta, West Virginia
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