Canadian wild ginger

Asarum canadense L.

Native
Shade Tolerant
Deer Resistant

Pet & Human Safety

People: Toxic to peoplePets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

leaves, roots, stems

Preparation

None known to make it safe. Do not eat any part. If any part has been eaten, call your poison center.

Hazard type

Aristolochic acid is the toxic principle; NC State rates poison severity MEDIUM and says aristolochic acid is nephrotoxic (harmful to the kidneys) and a carcinogen. Do not consume any part of this plant.

Hazard route

ingestion

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

No ASPCA page was found for this plant, so there is no pet verdict from the safety review. NC State rates it a MEDIUM-severity human poison because of aristolochic acid in the leaves, roots and stems. Not listed means no pet-safety verdict was found, not that the plant is safe. Keep pets from eating it and call a vet or the ASPCA Poison Control line if a pet seems unwell. Keep pets from chewing it.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA zones 4a-6b (NC State Extension).
Light: light to deep shade (dappled sunlight, part shade or deep shade)
Water needs: high
Mature size: 6 to 12 inches tall and 4 to 6 inches wide (NC State Extension). Spacing: NC State lists available space to plant as less than 12 inches and 12 inches to 3 feet; no plant-spacing figure is given.

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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