The pokeweed is a genus of plants with around 25 to 30 different plants, most of which are native to Asia or South America. In the meantime, some species have settled almost all over the world.
The pokeweed is quite attractive, but unfortunately poisonous
Which pokeweed should I plant in my garden?
Unfortunately, the pokeweed is also considered poisonous, but the American pokeweed is more so than the Asian one. Neither of them necessarily belong in a family garden, because consumption can quickly become dangerous for small children. You get digestive problems such as nausea, diarrhea or vomiting, and in severe cases cramps.
You should also plant the Asian pokeweed out of the reach of small children. It is sometimes referred to as the edible pokeweed, but that is only partly true. The toxic ingredients at least partially lose their effectiveness when heated, but the berries are inedible raw and especially when they are unripe.
How do I care for the pokeweed?
The pokeweed is quite undemanding and easy to care for. Give her some compost or a slow-release fertilizer in the spring. The water requirement is not very large, but the plant likes a slightly moist soil. If she feels comfortable in her location, then she is very keen to reproduce and is difficult to control.
Plant your pokeweed in a warm and bright spot. She likes it sunny or partially shaded. It does not make any special demands on the soil, but it can be nutrient-rich and slightly moist. From June, the pokeweed shows its mostly whitish flowers, from which dark red to black berries develop in September and October.
The essentials in brief:
- is considered poisonous
- quite undemanding
- needs loose, rather nutrient-rich soil
- growing fast
- Location: warm, likes sunny to semi-shady
- medium water requirement
- Give slow-release fertilizer in spring
- blooms from June
- Berries in September and October, dark red to black
- plant the Asian pokeweed in the family garden
- very prolific
- originally not at home in Europe, but now widespread
tips
The pokeweed is quite easy to care for, but also poisonous. Therefore, it should not be placed where small children can play and put the berries in their mouths.