Bear Corn

About Bear Corn

Cancer-root is a perennial parasitic plant in the boomrape (Orobanchaceae) family. It grows in large areas of Eastern America on organically rich forest soils. It typically grows from 2 to 8 inches tall and less than an inch wide. The inflorescence can appear anywhere from April to July depending on where you are on the east coast.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Conopholis americana

Genus

Conopholis

Family

Orobanchaceae

Order

Lamiales

Also known as

American cancer-root, Squawroot and Bumeh

How to care for Bear Corn

💦 Water

How often to water your Bear Corn

Bear Corn 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.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Bear Corn in your home

Bear Corn love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

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

Bear Corn does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

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

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Bear Corn

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Bear Corn: 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 Bear Corn after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

Bear Corn 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.

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Bear Corn 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 🏡.

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.

If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.

🪴 Soil

Bear Corn does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Bear Corn grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Bear Corn can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 3a-9b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

🧐 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.