How to Cultivate Bloodroot

Bloodroot is a small flowering perennial herb that is native to North America. It can be found from Florida to Canada. The plant can grow between 6 to 7 inches tall and begins its season in March and ends in April. The leaves on the bloodroot are called basal type leaves and the plant has one flower per stalk. It has a small white flower and roots that range in color from orange to red. The plant is considered endangered and it is discouraged to take bloodroot from the wild and encouraged to buy a starter plant from a nursery. Bloodroot is relatively easy to grow and flourishes in many types of soil and climates.

Things You'll Need

• Light sandy soil
• Water
• Shovel
• Shade
• Bloodroot starter plant or
• Bloodroot seeds or
• Bloodroot root cutting

Instructions

Growing Bloodroot

1. Get a starter plant, seeds, or a root cutting from a bloodroot plant.

2. Plant the roots, seeds, or starter plant in light sandy soil that is slightly acidic about 12 to 18 inches apart.

3. Make sure you are planting in a shady to partly sunny area.

4. Keep watered well as bloodroot thrives when by bodies of water.

Harvesting Bloodroot

1. Harvesting season begins in the fall around four to five years after planting a starter bloodroot plant, and around six to eight years after planting from seeds.

2. Use a shovel or small spade to dig up the plant. Make sure to dig up the entire root.

3. Start root cuttings for new plants right away, take the rest of the roots for cleansing and drying.

4. Use a pressure washer, or some good old fashioned elbow grease to thoroughly clean the roots.

5. Dry the roots using one of two different methods--Dry in the sun for an entire day then keep in shade for a few days or dry in a dehydrator at 70 degrees Fahrenheit for an entire day then raise the temperature to 110 degrees Fahrenheit until dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Bloodroot is an endangered species of plant and should not be removed from the wild. Rather it should be cultivated from seeds or starter plants from a nursery.

• Bloodroot prefers shade or only part sun, in acidic light and sandy type soil. They can be found on a cliff, bank, or slope, particularly one that receives an abundance of water.

• Bloodroot is at its most hardy in Zone 3 and in well irrigated sandy loam soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5 and in 70 to 80% shade.

• Drying bloodroot is best when the air is low on moisture and has a high amount of convection. Roots should be dried until they break without bending.

• Bloodroot should be stored in an airtight container. Whole roots can last for two years in such storage.

• Bloodroot is not edible.

• Any internal medicinal uses should be taken with caution, bloodroot has opiate type properties.

• Do not use if pregnant of nursing.

Resources

• Purchase Bloodroot Here