Goldenseal
Hydrastis canadensis
| Family: | Ranunculaceae (ra-nun-kew-LAY-see-ee) (Info) |
| Genus: | Hydrastis (hy-DRASS-tiss) (Info) |
| Species: | canadensis (ka-na-DEN-sis) (Info) |
View this plant in a gardenCategory:
Herbs
Water Requirements:
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Sun Exposure:
Partial to Full Shade
Foliage:
Herbaceous
This plant is resistant to deer
Foliage Color:
Height:
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
Spacing:
6-9 in. (15-22 cm)
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)
Where to Grow:
Danger:
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Bloom Color:
Pale Green
Chartreuse (yellow-green)
White/Near White
Inconspicuous/none
Bloom Characteristics:
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Mid Spring
Other details:
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
Regional
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
Birmingham, Alabama
Cullman, Alabama
Tuskegee, Alabama
Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Mashpee, Massachusetts
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Ballwin, Missouri
Cole Camp, Missouri
Piedmont, Missouri
Plainfield, New Jersey
Trinity, North Carolina
Glouster, Ohio
Williamsburg, Ohio
Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania
Cosby, Tennessee
Viola, Tennessee
Austin, Texas
Leesburg, Virginia
Stanwood, Washington
Augusta, West Virginia
show allGardeners' Notes:
| Rating | Content |
|---|---|
| Positive | On Aug 21, 2015, Ted_B from Birmingham, AL (Zone 8a) wrote: This shy plant survives in a shady location, in reasonably well draining soil with a healthy dose of hardwood leaf mulch and adequate moisture. It is most tolerant of full shade or a short dose of morning sun. It does not tolerate dry conditions for long periods. Once established, it tends to spread via runners, so look for new stalks emerging each season. |
| Neutral | On Jul 4, 2011, SilkKnoll from Tuskegee, AL (Zone 8a) wrote: "To help prevent its extinction, gardeners should ensure that plants are nursery propagated rather than collected." |
| Positive | On May 10, 2009, Malus2006 from Coon Rapids, MN (Zone 4a) wrote: bloom in may in Minnesota |
| Positive | 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. |
| Neutral | 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. |
| Positive | 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 !). |
| Neutral | 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. |
