Black snake root, botanically known as Actaea racemosa and more commonly called black cohosh, is a medicinal plant indigenous to shaded woodland areas in North America. An herbaceous perennial, black snake root features large, toothed leaves and plumes of whitish flowers on stalks; the thick, knobby black rhizomes -- or roots -- are used in herbal medicine as a natural alternative to hormone replacement for treatment of menopause symptoms. Black snake root, which can reach heights of 4 feet, is also gaining in popularity as an ornamental plant in landscapes and gardens. It is not difficult to grow black snake root from seed, but it takes several years for the roots to become ready for harvest.
Instructions
1. Harvest mature black snake root seeds in the fall after the seed capsules have dried and begun to split open. Seeds will make a rattling sound when the pod is shaken. Open the pods and remove the seeds. Harvested black snake root seeds germinate more reliably than those purchased commercially, according to horticulturists at North Carolina State University.
2. Select a site for the seed bed, keeping in mind that the area must offer moist, well-drained soil and ample shade to mimic black snake root's woodland habitat. A site shaded by large hardwood trees is ideal, but artificial shade is acceptable. If the soil contains large amounts of clay or doesn't drain well, use raised planting beds.
3. Use a spading fork to prepare the seed bed, turning the soil over to a depth of about 6 inches. Break up the clumps with a rake and level the surface.
4. Test the soil's pH level to verify it is between 5.0 and 6.0. If the pH level is incorrect, amend the soil as indicated by the directions.
5. Plant the seeds 1/4 inch deep in the prepared soil, spacing them 1 1/2 to two inches apart, and cover them with a 1-inch layer of hardwood bark or leaf mulch. By planting in the fall immediately after harvest, you allow nature to do the work of providing the warm/cold/warm cycle the seeds need for germination.
6. Keep the young seedlings moist and shaded, and observe them in the spring for emergence. When the second set of true leaves appears, transplant into regular planting beds. The roots will be ready for harvest four to six years after seeding.
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