Asarum Species, Canadian Snakeroot, Canadian Wild Ginger, Indian Ginger, Wild Ginger

Asarumcanadense

Genus
Asarum (as-AIR-um)
Species
canadense (ka-na-DEN-see)
Synonym
Asarum canadense var. acuminatum
Asarum canadense var. ambiguum
Asarum canadense var. reflexum
Sun Exposure
Partial to Full Shade
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Good Fall Color
Shiny/Glossy
Height
6-12 in. (15-30 cm)
Spacing
9-12 in. (22-30 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 2a: to -45.5 °C (-50 °F)
USDA Zone 2b: to -42.7 °C (-45 °F)
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)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Danger
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Bloom Color
Maroon/Burgundy
Bloom Time
Late Winter/Early Spring
Mid Spring
Other Details
Category
Groundcovers
Perennials
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic)
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
Seed Collecting
Seed does not store well; sow as soon as possible
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Murphys, California

Clifton, Colorado

Caldwell, Idaho

Cary, Illinois

Champaign, Illinois

Cherry Valley, Illinois

La Grange Park, Illinois

Machesney Park, Illinois

Rockford, Illinois

Washington, Illinois

Westchester, Illinois

Bedford, Indiana

Fishers, Indiana

Indianapolis, Indiana

Jeffersonville, Indiana

Valparaiso, Indiana

Warren, Indiana

Iowa City, Iowa

Yale, Iowa

Fort Scott, Kansas

Mayking, Kentucky

Farmington, Maine

Crofton, Maryland

Silver Spring, Maryland

Bridgewater, Massachusetts

Gloucester, Massachusetts

Royal Oak, Michigan

Isle, Minnesota

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Pequot Lakes, Minnesota

Cole Camp, Missouri

Sedalia, Missouri

Frenchtown, New Jersey

Morristown, New Jersey

Neptune, New Jersey

Cherry Valley, New York

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Glouster, Ohio

Colver, Pennsylvania

Coopersburg, Pennsylvania

Downingtown, Pennsylvania

Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania

Rock Hill, South Carolina

Viola, Tennessee

Blacksburg, Virginia

Leesburg, Virginia

Vienna, Virginia

Ellsworth, Wisconsin

Madison, Wisconsin

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Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

11
positives
3
neutrals
1
negative
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W
Vienna, VA | April 2020 | neutral

I have found this plant to be fast spreading. it is planted in moist shade under deciduous trees. I have had to dig up to control the a...Read More

C
(Zone 5a) | May 2014 | positive

I planted some bare roots ten days ago and some are already flowering! They may just go wild in an area where I have never gotten anythi...Read More

P
Valparaiso, IN | May 2013 | positive

The only native plant that can choke out garlic mustard! That's why I love it. Perfect ground cover for a shady spot.

Cana...Read More

P
Arlington, VA | July 2012 | negative

I really wanted this plant to succeed under my two big silver maples. If it did well, I wanted to replace some of the lawn with it. But...Read More

G
(Zone 5a) | July 2011 | positive

A pretty hardy shade plant; I've found it does fairly well in drier areas, too. Blooms in May in my garden.

M
Gloucester, MA | October 2010 | neutral

Please be careful of consumption. Some indication that a chemical in asarum can damage your kidneys.

C
Benton County, MO (Zone 5a) | October 2007 | positive

I love this little plant and really like the idea of being able to use it as a Ginger substitute. I had transplanted a couple of the pla...Read More

S
Rife, PA (Zone 6a) | March 2007 | positive

The following information is from Edible Wild Plants of Eastern North America by Fernald & Kinsey.

“The rootstock has a ...Read More

M
Coon Rapids, MN (Zone 4a) | November 2006 | positive

It is also the most cold tolerant of all the Wild Gingers. I collected my plants in zone 3b even thought some books has the habit of sayi...Read More

G
Bridgewater, MA (Zone 6b) | June 2005 | positive

The round, smoky green leaves of Asaram canadense are subtly beautiful. It currently grows half-wild in the darker edges of my garden, ...Read More

N
West Chazy, NY (Zone 4b) | March 2005 | positive

The leaves of this wild ginger are quite large and seem to be made of velveteen . It does make a very attractice ground cover. I have min...Read More

H
Crystal Springs, MS | June 2004 | positive

I found this beautiful ground cover in my back yard under an oak tree, didn't know what it was, just saw it everywhere and it doesn't die...Read More

L
Jeffersonville, IN (Zone 6a) | August 2003 | positive

Cute little groundcover for a woodland garden. Does fine in fairly dense shade and clay soil.

L
Grove City, OH (Zone 6a) | August 2002 | positive

Wonderful plant, whether for a groundcover or as a specimen. If it is planted on a slope, the flowers are apparent, and fascinating to s...Read More

V
Memphis, TN (Zone 7b) | August 2001 | neutral

Asarum is a genus of approximately 70 species of low-growing, rhizomatous perennials occurring in woodlands. They have large, usually gl...Read More

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