Black Cohosh is a perennial medicinal herb, long valued for its traditional uses. Notably, it stands up to deer.
Zones
Data not available
pH Range
5-7.5
Sun
Shade
Days to Maturity
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Score Black Cohosh on your exact land.
Zone averages can't see the slope, soil, frost, and sun that decide whether black cohosh actually takes — and those shift from one yard to the next. Enter your address and we'll score black cohosh against your land's real conditions.
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What Black Cohosh is
Black Cohosh grows as a perennial and reaches around six feet at maturity. It blooms white in summer. It's also deer-resistant.
How to grow Black Cohosh
Black Cohosh does best in shade — at least 2 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 5 to 7.5, on well-drained ground.
USDA Zones
Data not available
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
5 - 7.5
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Shade
plant_species_v5.csv
Drainage
well (dry spells)
plant_species_v5.csv
Mature Height
6 ft
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost-Free Days
0+
plant_species_v5.csv
Start the season right
Plant black cohosh in shade with at least 2 hours of direct sun, once the soil has warmed and frost risk has passed.
Match the soil
Black Cohosh prefers pH 5 to 7.5 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. A 2–3 inch mulch layer holds moisture without waterlogging.
Harvest at its peak
Harvest the part you grow black cohosh for — flower, leaf, or root — at its seasonal peak.
Good to know
One caution for pet owners — black cohosh is toxic to dogs and cats (mild severity). Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency. (Source: ASPCA.)
Where Black Cohosh thrives
Whether black cohosh thrives on a given site comes down to its soil pH, drainage, sun, and frost dates — the conditions that vary parcel to parcel.
See if Black Cohosh will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether black cohosh actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
We read public map data for this spot — soil, climate, flood, and parcel records. How we handle your address.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Black Cohosh in my zone?
Zone data for black cohosh is being finalized. A Growable Ground report checks your parcel's full suitability against federal soil, climate, and zone data.
When should you plant Black Cohosh?
Most growers plant black cohosh after the last spring frost, once the soil has warmed. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.
How much sun does Black Cohosh need?
Black Cohosh is shade-tolerant — it gets by on as little as 2 hours of direct sun, so it earns a place most vegetables can't use. A north-facing strip or the ground under a leafy canopy is right where it belongs. A Growable Ground report shows which corners of your land stay shaded through the day, turning those dim spots into planting spots.
What soil does Black Cohosh need?
Black Cohosh prefers soil pH 5 to 7.5, on well-drained ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Is Black Cohosh safe for pets?
Black Cohosh is toxic to pets (dogs,cats) with mild severity. Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency.