American Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana)

How much light does an American Pokeweed need?

American pokeweed grows in full sun or part shade, and full sun is preferred. Full sun means 6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day. Part shade means direct sunlight for only part of the day, about 2 to 6 hours. The minimum recorded is 2 hours a day.

• Light: Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)¹
• Direct sun: 2 h/day¹

How often to water an American Pokeweed

Medium is the water level recorded for American pokeweed. The record gives medium for both the low end and the high end of its water need. The soil it grows in can be well drained, moist or occasionally dry. No watering schedule in days is documented for this plant.

• Water: Medium²

Best soil for an American Pokeweed

American pokeweed grows in soil that is well drained, moist or occasionally dry. Good drainage is the condition named for it. Its water need is medium across those soil conditions. No soil pH range is documented for this plant, and no soil texture is listed either. It is a herbaceous perennial that grows rapidly. It reaches 4–10 ft (1.22–3.05 m) tall and 3–5 ft (0.91–1.52 m) wide. It is native to the lower 48 US states.

• Soil drainage: Well drained, moist and occasionally dry¹

Hardiness and temperature

American pokeweed is listed for USDA hardiness zones 4a to 8b. That range covers zones 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a and 8b. It is a herbaceous perennial plant. It is native to the lower 48 US states. No minimum temperature or humidity preference is documented for this plant. Its growth rate is rapid. It reaches 4–10 ft (1.22–3.05 m) in height.

• Hardiness: Zones 4a–8b¹

Pruning an American Pokeweed

Pruning for American pokeweed means removing dead growth only. Dead stems can be cut back to 12 to 24 inches (30–61 cm) and left standing until they disintegrate on their own. Native bees nest in the dead, hollow stems, so gardeners are encouraged to leave them in place.

• Pruning: Remove dead growth only^3,1,1

How to plant an American Pokeweed

Plant American pokeweed where winters match USDA zones 4a to 8b. Allow room for a plant that grows 3–5 ft (0.91–1.52 m) wide. It also reaches 4–10 ft (1.22–3.05 m) in height. Choose a site with full sun or part shade. Growth is rapid. It is native to the lower 48 US states. No planting time relative to frost is documented.

• Hardiness: Zones 4a–8b¹

Winter care

Winter hardiness for American pokeweed is listed as USDA zones 4a to 8b. It is a herbaceous perennial. Dead stems can be cut back to 12 to 24 inches (30–61 cm) and left standing until they disintegrate on their own. Native bees nest in those dead, hollow stems. No minimum temperature or winter protection is documented for this plant. It is native to the lower 48 US states. It reaches 4–10 ft (1.22–3.05 m) in height.

• Hardiness: Zones 4a–8b¹

How to propagate an American Pokeweed

American pokeweed can be propagated by seed, division or stem cuttings. One described step is to gather about a pint of the purple berries, crush them, cover them with water and let them ferment for a few days. Division and stem cuttings are listed alongside seed without further detail. A rapid growth rate is recorded for the plant. It is a herbaceous perennial.

• Propagation: Seed, division and stem cuttings⁴

Common problems

The pests recorded for American pokeweed are drosophila suzukii, halyomorpha halys, spodoptera eridania, spodoptera ornithogalli, homalodisca vitripennis and heterodera glycines. The diseases recorded are mosaic virus, tomato spotted wilt virus, tomato chlorosis virus and cotton root rot. The plant is described as susceptible to mosaic virus. Deer resistance is reported for this plant.

• Common pests: drosophila suzukii, halyomorpha halys, spodoptera eridania, spodoptera ornithogalli, homalodisca vitripennis and heterodera glycines⁵
• Common diseases: mosaic virus, tomato spotted wilt virus, tomato chlorosis virus and cotton root rot^1,5

Questions and answers

Is American pokeweed toxic to cats and dogs?

American pokeweed is listed as toxic to both cats and dogs. All parts of the plant are described as poisonous to pets.

How much sun does American pokeweed need?

It grows in full sun or part shade, and full sun is preferred. Full sun means 6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day, and part shade means about 2 to 6 hours.

Which hardiness zones suit American pokeweed?

It is listed for USDA zones 4a to 8b. It reaches 4–10 ft (1.22–3.05 m) tall and 3–5 ft (0.91–1.52 m) wide.