Actaea Species, Black Cohosh, Black Snakeroot, Bugbane, Fairy Candles

Actaearacemosa

Family
Ranunculaceae (ra-nun-kew-LAY-see-ee)
Genus
Actaea (ak-TEE-uh)
Species
racemosa (ray-see-MO-suh)
Synonym
Actaea gyrostachya
Actaea monogyna
Actaea orthostachya
Botrophis actaeoides
Cimicifuga racemosa
Sun Exposure
Full Shade
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Herbaceous
Height
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Spacing
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Hardiness
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
N/A
Bloom Color
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Water Requirements
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
Seed Collecting
Regional

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

Birmingham, Alabama

Houston, Alabama

Lemoore, California

Lemoore Station, California

Los Altos, California

Caseyville, Illinois

Logansport, Indiana

Prospect, Kentucky

Falmouth, Maine

Skowhegan, Maine

Bridgewater, Massachusetts

Osterville, Massachusetts

Grand Haven, Michigan

Novi, Michigan

Royal Oak, Michigan

Lake George, Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Marietta, Mississippi

Piedmont, Missouri

Frenchtown, New Jersey

Plainfield, New Jersey

Scotch Plains, New Jersey

Alden, New York

Buffalo, New York

Croton On Hudson, New York

Sag Harbor, New York

Syracuse, New York

Charlotte, North Carolina

Cullowhee, North Carolina

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Grassy Creek, North Carolina

Raleigh, North Carolina

Cleveland, Ohio

Columbus, Ohio

Hamilton, Ohio

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Birdsboro, Pennsylvania

Millersburg, Pennsylvania

Inman, South Carolina

Rock Hill, South Carolina

Morrison, Tennessee

Viola, Tennessee

Austin, Texas

Houston, Texas

Alexandria, Virginia

Leesburg, Virginia

Springfield, Virginia

Winchester, Virginia

Port Angeles, Washington

Port Angeles East, Washington

Sumas, Washington

Cleveland, Wisconsin

Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

9
positives
5
neutrals
0
negative
Sort By:
Sort By:
T
T
Birmingham, AL (Zone 8a) | October 2014 | positive

One of the hardier, more forgiving Appalachian shade plants. Succeeds in a southern climate in a fertile, mulched loamy soil, so long as...Read More

C
Hamilton, OH (Zone 6a) | June 2014 | positive

This is a beautiful plant for the back of a shade perennial border. One common name is fairy candles and it lives up to this name as the ...Read More

A
| August 2013 | neutral

I planted black snakeroot "chocoholic" two years ago in a mostly shady spot in my zone 4 Northern Ontario garden. It has yet to bloom, b...Read More

J
Inman, SC | March 2013 | positive

Ordered this from a nursery in Maine and worried it would not do well in our hot, hot summers. Planted them in partial shade and kept the...Read More

N
Syosset, NY | July 2011 | positive

I have 3 of these. When planting, make sure roots are well covered and apply mulch. Also, before winter, I would make sure the plant is...Read More

M
M
Columbus, OH (Zone 5b) | February 2011 | positive

The plant does need ample light. Before our trees cut down on the light, flower spikes would reach 8'. With lesser light the spikes tend ...Read More

P
Wildomar, CA | February 2010 | neutral

Some studies have shown that ingestion of this plant can cause liver complications in some individuals. Just a bit of FYI for the possibl...Read More

G
Grayslake, IL (Zone 5a) | February 2009 | neutral

Variety racemosa (Black Bugbane) is native to most of the eastern half of the US and Canada. Endangered in Illinois and Massachusetts.

E
Alden, NY | June 2008 | positive

It took a few years before mine bloomed but now it's beautiful so be patient.

M
Cullowhee, NC (Zone 6b) | June 2006 | neutral

This perennial is native to our area.

M
Saint Paul, MN | August 2004 | positive

Very easy, very attractive and fairly adaptable. I have about 40 square feet covered with it, and it only took about 6 years to get that...Read More

G
G
Syracuse, NY | May 2004 | positive

Received our plant as a division from a friend who had grown it for years: I have since divided the plant once in ten years, resulting in...Read More

D
| July 2002 | neutral

I have just recently purchased a "Black Snakeroot" from a local greenhouse here in Maine. I thought it was so unique. It is very tall a...Read More

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

Plant takes ideal conditions for it to survive; very deep organic-enriched loam is perfect for it. Will not survive in standing water, b...Read More

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