Pokeweed
Phytolacca americana
Also known as Poke, Pokeberry, American Pokeweed
Climate Match for your location
See how well Pokeweed grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
A vigorous North American native perennial with large tropical-looking leaves, small greenish flowers, and striking dark purple-black berries in late summer. Fast-growing and hardy, though often considered weedy; berries and roots are toxic to humans but valuable for wildlife.
Why grow it
Pokeweed establishes quickly in poor soils where many ornamentals struggle, making it useful for rapid ground coverage or erosion control on marginal land. Its bold foliage and late-season berry display offer visual interest with minimal input once established. For wildlife-focused plantings, it provides reliable food for birds in autumn and winter when other sources diminish, though gardeners seeking similar visual impact might prefer non-spreading alternatives like ornamental cannas or Joe-Pye weed in cultivated settings.
Watch out for
Pokeweed spreads readily from seed and can dominate garden spaces if not managed, so site it where vigorous growth won't crowd desired perennials. The plant's deep taproot makes it difficult to remove completely once established. Young shoots may self-seed prolifically in subsequent years, requiring monitoring to prevent unwanted spread beyond your intended planting area.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Phytolaccaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A vigorous North American native perennial with large tropical-looking leaves, small greenish flowers, and striking dark purple-black berries in late summer. Fast-growing and hardy, though often considered weedy; berries and roots are toxic to humans but valuable for wildlife.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Pokeweed grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Pokeweed establishes quickly in poor soils where many ornamentals struggle, making it useful for rapid ground coverage or erosion control on marginal land. Its bold foliage and late-season berry display offer visual interest with minimal input once established. For wildlife-focused plantings, it provides reliable food for birds in autumn and winter when other sources diminish, though gardeners seeking similar visual impact might prefer non-spreading alternatives like ornamental cannas or Joe-Pye weed in cultivated settings.
Watch out for
Pokeweed spreads readily from seed and can dominate garden spaces if not managed, so site it where vigorous growth won't crowd desired perennials. The plant's deep taproot makes it difficult to remove completely once established. Young shoots may self-seed prolifically in subsequent years, requiring monitoring to prevent unwanted spread beyond your intended planting area.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Phytolaccaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
Similar shrubs you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.