Pokeberry

Phytolacca - Pokeberry

Plant Uses

Growing Pokeberry

Planting and Growing

The seeds need to be scarified or scratched on their seed coat to increase the chance of germination․ The plants can be propagated from root cuttings taken in the spring․

Characteristics

The plant has smooth‚ shiny dark purple stems‚ and large oval leaves‚ up to 12 inches (30 cm) long․ Greenish white flowers develop in summer and dark purple berries in fall․ The berries are about the size of a pea and are borne on a bright pink stem․ They are inedible and may be poisonous if consumed in large quantities․ It is native to eastern North America and is common in fields‚ beside roads‚ and in waste areas where soil has been disturbed․

Plant bare-root stock as soon as it arrives, in well-drained soil with full to partial sun unless noted otherwise above. Water deeply once a week during the first growing season to establish a strong root system.

Dug and shipped bare-root during your zone's dormant window, packed to arrive fresh. Every order is backed by our first-season establishment guarantee — we'll replace it for you.