Shipping Oct – Dec
Black Cohosh Live Root (Cimicifuga racemosa), organic
$7.00 – $36.00
(The Latin name Cimicifuga racemosa is synonymous with the Latin name Actaea racemosa)
Black Cohosh is the most universally adaptable of all the Appalachian medicinals. We receive ongoing reports from gardening friends all over the United States who have been hugely successful in cultivating this plant from our vigorous, weighty rootstock. A showy favorite on the shady border, striking compound leaves give rise to tall white flowering racemes to 5 feet. The tincture of fresh root is proestrogenic, antidepressant, pain relieving, sedative, peripheral vasodilating, antispasmodic, and anti-inflammatory, customarily used to control the infamous “hot flashes” of menopause. Useful in home medicine and high market demand.
Planting Black Cohosh Roots: Best to plant dormant live roots in the fall for emergence in the spring. May be planted in woodlands, shady garden or in pots. Black Cohosh likes a little shade, but it does withstand more sunlight than goldenseal, bloodroot and blue cohosh. This plant will grow as a standard garden plant and does not really need to be in a woodland setting, although it will grow fine in the woods, too. In any case, Black Cohosh loves deep, humusy soils and plenty of organic compost. These roots do well when planted deeply–dig a 6 inch hole, nestle the roots down in, rootlets spread out below the rhizome, bud(s) pointing straight up, then bury with bud 1 to 3 inches below soil surface, tamp in, and cover with 2 inches or more of mulch. Regular forest mulch, rotted leaves, or coir work well. Commercial bark mulch is not a good choice. Plant roots between 2 feet and 4 feet apart. Water once after planting, after which winter rain and snowfall will keep them sufficiently watered. The roots will overwinter under the mulch and the plant will emerge in the spring. If during the spring and summer the planting becomes very dry (ie no rain for 2 weeks) then it is a good idea to water them. That is all the care that is usually required. If potting up, use standard potting soil, one root per pot, 3 gallon pot or bigger. Mulch on top of the pot and place in shade garden, patio, greenhouse, etc.
Live roots certified organically grown
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Question
Eunice St John –
can I plant live cimicifuga roots in March (Maine)
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Mayche Cech –
Hello Eunice,
We ship these roots fall only and they are best planted in the fall for spring emergence.
Richo
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Erin –
If this ships in December, we have frozen ground in Idaho. Can I overwinter the bare roots in a pot in my garage?
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Richo Cech –
hi erin, we endeavor to get the roots to you before your ground freezes. they are best planted to shade garden or woodland. we start shipping in early october. richo
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blick002 (verified owner) –
I potted up six very healthy live roots in the fall 2017, kept them in the root cellar over winter and planted them outside under maples (next to Strictly Medicinal goldenseal plants) after they had sprouted and grown into vigorous plants the next summer, 2018. With a light covering of leaf mulch, all overwintered in zone 3 with record-setting -48F low temp and four plants flowered and set seed this past summer, 2019. Very impressed and pleased!
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Deborah Hall (verified owner) –
I planted 3 roots last fall around my myrtle tree. I just noted the first foliage the other day. Looking this morning I see all 3 plants are producing foliage. I am very pleased to see all 3 are off to a good start. Thank you.
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hi Deborah,
No problem, that is the way it works, you did this right! Fall planted dormant roots gain a sense of place during dormancy and produce lots of feeder roots to fuel the spring growth that you’re seeing right now. Good job!
Richo
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AUDRA B SANDRIDGE (verified owner) –
I realize that the product is currently not available, but in trying to budget for planting a large amount, what is the price point for live roots? Thank!!
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Admin Richo Cech –
good question. the live roots are cheaper than the potted plants. Fall-planted live roots work better than potted plants. The roots overwinter in-situ and throw down many feeder roots which act as a foundation for vigorous spring growth. Most of us working with forest medicinals (black cohosh, blue cohosh, wild yam, ginseng, blooroot, goldenseal, etc.) already know that fall planting of dormant rootstock is the most effective method. You can check my book “the medicinal herb grower” or any (free) fall catalog from strictly medicinal seeds to find out more about this. love!
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Jacklyn K Roesch –
If I put in pot, should I bring it inside during the winter months. We are in zone 4.
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hi Jacklyn,
No, the plant requires winter dormancy outdoors. Black Cohosh is winter hardy to Zone 4. Always mulch heavily and leave in a protected spot if attempting to overwinter in a pot. They are happier when planted in the shade garden or woodland.
Richo
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Gwyn (verified owner) –
After planting last fall, this spring The Black Cohosh sent up a shoot. Now it looks like the new foliage which is still unfurled is very stiff and dry. Is this normal? I wonder if I should trim off that part which seems dead; there is only this one individual shoot so far. We have had some freezing nights after it sent up the shoot, and so I cover it up a little with leaves and then uncover it during the day.
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Richo Cech –
Hi Gwyn,
If it was me, I’d just leave it alone and see what happens. Its late enough in the year, there shouldn’t be frost damage, and the root may well produce more shoots. Richo
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Karel –
Does the black cohosh grow very well in zone 8-9? If in shade?
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Richo Cech –
hello Karel,
Yes, it really does. Shade is a good idea but lacking that a rich, compost-laden soil with a good mulch will do the trick. These are probably the most adaptable of the eastern forest medicinals. richo
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