No, it is considered toxic and should not be consumed.

How do I get rid of it?

You must dig out the entire taproot, as any remaining pieces can sprout again.

Plant guide

American pokeweed.

Phytolacca americana L.

Pronounced fy-toh-LAK-uh uh-mer-ih-KAY-nuh

Also known as American Pokeweed, Common Pokeweed, Inkberry, Pigeo, Poke, Pigeonberry, Poke, Pokeberry, Pokeroot

The American pokeweed is a large, herbaceous perennial native to North America. It is known for its striking appearance with deep purple berries and reddish stems. While it is quite beautiful, it is important to remember that all parts of this plant are toxic if ingested.

Another photo of American pokeweed — Photo by Duarte Frade (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 8 to 10 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 9
Bloom time: Mid to late summer

Care

Pokeweed is very hardy and thrives in most soil conditions without much help. Watch for rapid growth during the summer months, as it can quickly take over a garden bed. If you want to keep it contained, make sure to remove the berries before they drop to prevent unwanted seedlings.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
Feeding: It rarely needs extra food, but a light application of compost in spring is plenty.
Pruning: Cut the plant back to the ground in late autumn after the foliage dies.
Repotting: If growing in a container, move it to a larger pot every year or two as the taproot expands.
Soil: Well-draining, moist soil
Soil pH: 5.0 to 8.0
Temperature: -25 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 80%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years.
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Stunted growth during the active season.

Safety

People: The plant contains phytolaccatoxin and other compounds that cause severe gastrointestinal distress and potential systemic toxicity.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if consumed.
Children: The berries are highly attractive to children but are poisonous, so keep them away from play areas.
Contact allergens: Handling the plant can cause skin irritation or dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: Pollen may cause mild respiratory irritation for those with severe allergies.
Edibility: All parts of this plant are toxic to humans if ingested, especially the roots and seeds.

How to identify it

Large, oval, alternate green leaves
Bright red or purple stems
Long, drooping clusters of white flowers
Dark purple to black berries
Deep, fleshy taproot system

Height: 1.5 to 3m
Spread: 0.9 to 1.8m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: white, green, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: purple, black, Late summer to autumn

Problems to watch for

Leaf SpotCommon
AphidsUncommon
CaterpillarsUncommon
Root RotUncommon

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: The foliage will die back completely after the first frost. You can cut the stems to the ground in late autumn or early winter.
In containers: It is generally too large and aggressive for container gardening.

Seed

1. Collect ripe berries in autumn.
2. Clean the seeds from the pulp.
3. Sow seeds directly in the garden in autumn for spring germination.

Give this plant plenty of space as it can quickly crowd out smaller perennials.

Grows well with

Goldenrod — They share similar habitat requirements and bloom times.
Aster — These provide a nice visual contrast in late summer gardens.

Similar species

Inkberry — It is a closely related species with similar growth habits.

Science

Family: Phytolaccaceae
Genus: Phytolacca
Order: Caryophyllales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Eastern and central North America.
Conservation: This is a common native plant and is not of conservation concern.

It thrives in disturbed soils, forest edges, and meadows where it acts as a pioneer species.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, bird food source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ornamental, wildlife garden

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Nutrients: 7/9
Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 6/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is pokeberry edible?: No, it is considered toxic and should not be consumed.
How do I get rid of it?: You must dig out the entire taproot, as any remaining pieces can sprout again.

Where the name comes from

The genus name comes from the Greek word phyton meaning plant and the French word lac meaning lake, referring to the red dye. The species name americana indicates its origin in the Americas.

Good to know

It is a fast growing perennial that can reach its full height in a single season.
The roots are massive and fleshy, making them difficult to remove once established.
Birds love the berries and are the primary method of seed dispersal.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.