Plant Care American Pokeweed

American Pokeweed

Also known as

American Pokeweed, Pokeweed, American pokeweed, Poke sallet and Poke salad

Taxonomy

Phytolacca americana
Phytolacca
Phytolaccaceae
Caryophyllales

How to care for American Pokeweed

💦 Water

How often to water your American Pokeweed

Water needs for American Pokeweed
0.5 cups
every 9

American Pokeweed needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Calculate water needs of American Pokeweed

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for American Pokeweed in your home

Light needs and placement for plant American Pokeweed: 1ft from a window
1ft or less from
a window

American Pokeweed love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

American Pokeweed does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of American Pokeweed in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize American Pokeweed

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for American Pokeweed: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your American Pokeweed after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

💡 FAQs
⭐ Difficulty Level

American Pokeweed is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!

Benefits of Growing American Pokeweed →

Common American Pokeweed Problems →


💦 Water Needs

American Pokeweed prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

American Pokeweed Water Frequency →

American Pokeweed Root Rot →


☀️ Sunlight Needs

American Pokeweed requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

American Pokeweed Light Requirements →

American Pokeweed Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →


🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

American Pokeweed is extremely dangerous if consumed. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian immediately. American Pokeweed is not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.

Is American Pokeweed Edible? →

American Pokeweed Toxicity to Cats →

American Pokeweed Toxicity to Dogs →

American Pokeweed Toxicity to Humans →


🪴 Soil

American Pokeweed is very sensitive to dry soil, so choose a potting soil that retains moisture. A good soil will still drain well and contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir or sphagnum moss.

Best Soil Mix for American Pokeweed →

When and How to Successfully Repot American Pokeweed →

What Are Healthy American Pokeweed Roots →


💩 Fertilizer

American Pokeweed is a fast growing plant and may deplete the nutrients in its soil over time. Replenish them with a gentle organic fertilizer or compost every 1-2 months depending on your location and season. Fertilize more often during the growing season and in warmer and brighter climates.

How Much and When to Fertilize American Pokeweed →


⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

American Pokeweed grows along the ground and sends out shoots which will spread across the soil.

American Pokeweed Lifecycle →

American Pokeweed Size Guide →

How and When to Prune American Pokeweed →


🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
American Pokeweed can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 4a-9b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

American Pokeweed Temperature Tolerance →

American Pokeweed Hardiness Zones →

Is American Pokeweed a Weed? →


🌱 Propagation

American Pokeweed can be propagated by division into new individual plants.

  • Check to see if there is more than one plant. In some cases they may still be beneath the soil surface. If you feel confident, you may remove the soil to check for baby plantlets below!
  • If there are multiple plants growing, unpot the plant and gently tug the plants apart, being careful not to disturb too many of the roots. They may be connected by large root segments which you may need to break to free the plantlet.
  • Pot up the new plant in well-draining soil
  • Repot the parent plant back into its original pot

How to Propagate American Pokeweed →


🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in American Pokeweed, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!


🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.


Care Summary for American Pokeweed

American Pokeweed

American Pokeweed


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 9 days

Placement

< 1ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

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