Wild Ginger
Asarum canadense
Also listed as Asarum carolinianum, Asarum furcatum
Also known as American Wild Ginger, Canada Wild Ginger, Canadian Wild Ginger
Climate Match for your location
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A low-growing native groundcover with heart-shaped leaves and inconspicuous maroon flowers that bloom near the base of the plant. The rhizomes have a ginger-like aroma and have been traditionally used medicinally.
Why grow it
Wild ginger serves as a reliable native groundcover for shaded woodland edges and understory positions where many ornamental alternatives struggle. Compared to non-native ginger species, it tolerates colder climates and establishes readily in acidic, humus-rich soils typical of eastern North American forests. Its slow spread and modest height make it suitable for confined spaces without the invasiveness of some aggressive groundcovers.
Watch out for
Establishment from rhizome divisions can be slow, requiring patience before plants fill in a planting area. The plant prefers consistently moist conditions and may decline in dry summers without supplemental watering during establishment. Deer browsing of new growth occasionally occurs in areas with high deer pressure, though mature plants are typically left alone.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Aristolochiaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Ground cover
Low spreading plants that carpet the soil.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A low-growing native groundcover with heart-shaped leaves and inconspicuous maroon flowers that bloom near the base of the plant. The rhizomes have a ginger-like aroma and have been traditionally used medicinally.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Wild Ginger grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Wild ginger serves as a reliable native groundcover for shaded woodland edges and understory positions where many ornamental alternatives struggle. Compared to non-native ginger species, it tolerates colder climates and establishes readily in acidic, humus-rich soils typical of eastern North American forests. Its slow spread and modest height make it suitable for confined spaces without the invasiveness of some aggressive groundcovers.
Watch out for
Establishment from rhizome divisions can be slow, requiring patience before plants fill in a planting area. The plant prefers consistently moist conditions and may decline in dry summers without supplemental watering during establishment. Deer browsing of new growth occasionally occurs in areas with high deer pressure, though mature plants are typically left alone.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Aristolochiaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Ground cover
Low spreading plants that carpet the soil.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar ground covers you might consider:
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