Pokeweed (CAUTION)

Phytolacca americana

Phytolaccaceae

Listed for SAFETY: the young 'poke sallet' shoot is eaten in the South only after repeated boiling — every other part is toxic.

Wild / foragedForaged

Pokeweed (CAUTION) (Phytolacca americana) illustration — Texas Roots plant database, by Jordan Polasek

Sun

Sun to part shade

Water

Any

Soil

Rich, disturbed

pH

Adaptable

Hardiness

Native perennial

Height

4–10 ft

Days to harvest

Spring only (with care)

What it is

Pokeweed (CAUTION) (Phytolacca americana) is in the Phytolaccaceae family. Listed for SAFETY: the young 'poke sallet' shoot is eaten in the South only after repeated boiling — every other part is toxic.

How to grow it

It wants sun to part shade, water it any, and give it rich, disturbed soil. Target a soil pH around Adaptable. Expect roughly Spring only (with care). Native perennial.

How it's used

Pokeweed (CAUTION) is used: traditionally young shoots, multiply-boiled.

🔎 How to identify it

Large smooth leaves
Thick reddish-purple stems
Drooping clusters of dark purple berries

Edibility

PartsNONE without expert prep

UsesTraditionally young shoots, multiply-boiled

CautionBerries, roots, mature leaves, and stems are TOXIC. Beginners should NOT forage this. Included for identification/safety.

🌤 Before you plant: check the live 7-day garden weather to time it right for frost and heat.

Part of the free Texas Roots plant database, compiled by Jordan Polasek from his greenhouse in El Campo, Texas. Free to read and share. If it helped, the best thanks is to grow something.