Wild ginger

About Wild ginger

Wild ginger is a native woodland groundcover with velvety heart-shaped leaves and odd brownish-purple flowers hidden at ground level in spring (NC State). It spreads slowly into a dense patch, and it is a host plant for pipevine swallowtail caterpillars. It is not related to kitchen ginger and should not be eaten.

NC State lists zones 4-6 for Canadian wild ginger, but it is native from Manitoba south to Georgia and Louisiana and grows well to zone 8 in shade.

When to plant

Timing is counted from your average last spring frost (and first fall frost). Sow & Tell works out the actual dates for your ZIP code.

Plant in spring or fall in light to deep shade. It grows and spreads slowly; divide the rhizomes to make more (NC State).

Soil

Moist, humus-rich soil, acidic to neutral; it tolerates wet soil (NC State).

Humus-rich, moist soil (NC State).

Feeding

Keep the soil moist while it settles in; it grows slowly (NC State).

Pests to watch for

Slugs, Brown garden snail

In the kitchen

Safety: Do not eat it. It contains aristolochic acid, which harms the kidneys and causes cancer (NC State). Early Americans used the root as a ginger substitute, but that is not safe.

Pets: Not listed as toxic by the ASPCA. NC State rates it moderately poisonous because it contains aristolochic acid, so keep pets from chewing it.