The pokeweed is a decorative garden plant, but unfortunately also poisonous and very prolific. If you are not careful, you will soon have a lot of pokeweed in your garden and only a few other plants.

The pretty pokeweed multiplies extremely quickly

Because the pokeweed spreads very quickly and takes away the light from neighboring plants to grow. Propagation occurs on the one hand through self-sowing, but also through massive root growth and new sprouting of young plants. Wherever the seeds touch the ground and get enough light, you'll soon find a new pokeweed.

How do I get the pokeweed out of my garden?

If you want to get to grips with the pokeweed, it is best to do this in early summer. If the roots are still young and tender, the pokeweed can be easily pulled out, especially if the soil is moist. Older plants with strong roots, on the other hand, usually have to be laboriously dug up. However, the roots grow quite deep into the earth and often form meter-long side shoots.

It makes sense to prevent or at least limit the spread of pokeweed from the start. Since the plant sows itself and birds also take care of the distribution of the seeds, you should make sure that no seeds appear in the first place. Remove the inflorescences as soon as they wilt.

Can I use the pokeweed in any way?

As a phytolacca, pokeweed is used in homeopathy to treat rheumatic complaints, angina and flu infections. However, the plant is not suitable for self-medication. Although the Asian pokeweed is considered less poisonous than its American relative, consumption is not recommended. However, you can use the roots to fight snails.

The essentials in brief:

  • very prolific
  • including himself
  • is spread by birds
  • not easy to fight
  • Immediately cut off wilted inflorescences - prevents the plant from seeding
  • Tear out young plants in early summer
  • older plants must be dug up
  • do not dispose of in the compost

tips

If you want to prevent the pokeweed from spreading in your garden, then regularly remove the spent inflorescences before fruits with seeds can form.

Category:

Vegetable garden