Wild Ginger Plant

Native to the dense forests of eastern North America, the wild ginger is known by many other names; Canada wild ginger, Canadian snakeroot, etc. Botanically this perennial herb is known as Asarum canadense and belongs to the genus Asarum. Mostly known for its foliage, there are about fifty known species within this genus.

About Wild Ginger

Heart shaped glossy lustrous leaves that cover the ground so well that one can barely see an inch of soil, is how a garden enthusiast will define a wild ginger plant. Often people confuse it with the ginger root plant, why? I fail to see, as they do not come from the same family, and quite honestly, ginger root leaves aren't as pretty as the foliage. The same name shared by these plants, and both are herbs, so, maybe, it is thought to be. Wild ginger attains a height no more than ten inches tall with a 6-15 inches plus spread. Early spring, this plant springs to life with new cup or heart shaped leaves emerging from the ground. The leaves are basal and about six inches wide with a shiny appearance. The leaves are borne on hairy leaf stems. Mostly evergreen, spring also sees flower emergence from between two leaves that continue blooming into late spring. The flowers borne are purplish brown with three long, radiating calyx segments. They are nearly an inch wide and mostly hidden by their leaves. They grow at ground level to facilitate their pollination by ants. The two main species favored by gardeners are the Canadian wild ginger and the European wild ginger.

How to Grow Wild Ginger

This plant can be started through seeds as well as its slender rhizome (underground stem). It does very well in zones 4 to 8. It requires full sun, but will also tolerate partial shade. Being a forest plant, it needs soil that is moist, well drained, fertile and rich in organic compost. Soil pH balance must be maintained at 6.1 to 6.5. They can be grown in the ground as well as in containers. Sow seeds, or plant the plant by dividing its hairy root stems in spring, after frost has passed. They do not require to be planted deep, a depth of couple inches is enough to cover the roots, and spaced at 10-12 inches apart will do just fine.

Watering is not an issue with wild ginger. Water immediately after planting, and continue to do so for a week until the plant is established. Henceforth, water only when the top soil becomes dry. Fertilize in spring with a liquid fertilizer sparingly. They have no pruning requirement, but tend to get invasive. A light prune before spring to induce new growth is all that is recommended for it. So be careful when growing them around other plants. But they are prone to damage from slugs that are quite capable of wiping out the entire plant. They need to be physically removed. Sometimes rust colored spots appear on the underside of leaves, this form of infection spreads through the underground rhizomes. Remove the infected plant, a couple of surrounding ones too and discard. Expose soil to sun and dust it with some germicide before replanting wild ginger.

Uses of Wild Ginger

Traditionally, this plant has been used as a medicine for treating an array of infection, diseases and disorders; digestive related conditions, breasts, coughs and colds, scarlet fever, nerves, sore throats, cramps, earaches, headaches, convulsions, as a stimulant, etc. Native Americans used the rhizomes as a seasoning. The leaves can be used fresh or dried as a salve base for treating cuts and bruises. However, concern has been shown over its constituent aristolochic acid, a naturally occurring toxin that can cause fatal consequences. Its most popular use remains that of ground cover.

Consumption of wild ginger may be under suspicion, but what it can do for a garden in terms of beautifying a stretch remains undisputed.