Physic Nut is grown for its foliage and the structure it brings to a planting. It's hardy across USDA zones 10 through 12. Its spring flowers are a moderate draw for honeybees and native bees. It roots deep, which helps it reach moisture in a dry spell and open up tight soil as it establishes.
Zones
10-12
pH Range
5-8
Sun
Full Sun
Days to Maturity
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Score Physic Nut on your exact land.
Zone averages can't see the slope, soil, frost, and sun that decide whether physic nut actually takes — and those shift from one yard to the next. Enter your address and we'll score physic nut against your land's real conditions.
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What Physic Nut is
Physic Nut grows as a perennial. It blooms in spring.
How to grow Physic Nut
Physic Nut grows in USDA zones 10 through 12. Physic Nut does best in full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 5 to 8, on well-drained ground. It needs a growing season of at least 365 frost-free days, which is why climate matters as much as soil.
USDA Zones
10-12
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
5 - 8
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Full Sun
plant_species_v5.csv
Drainage
well (dry spells)
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost Tolerance
44.6°F
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost-Free Days
365+
plant_species_v5.csv
Start the season right
Plant physic nut in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct sun, once the soil has warmed and frost risk has passed.
Match the soil
Physic Nut prefers pH 5 to 8 (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.
Keep it in good form
Prune physic nut to shape as it grows; the reward is its foliage and structure, not a harvest, so steady upkeep is the whole job.
Good to know
One caution for pet owners — physic nut is toxic to dogs and cats (severe severity). Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency. (Source: ASPCA.)
Physic Nut offers moderate value to bees and other pollinators. (Source: Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership.)
Where Physic Nut thrives
Physic Nut is hardy across USDA zones 10 through 12. Zone is only the starting point, though: the soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific land decide how well it actually does.
Zones 10–12·Where Physic Nut growsOpen map →
On USDA hardiness-zone overlap, Physic Nut can grow in these states:
See if Physic Nut will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether physic nut 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 Physic Nut in my zone?
Physic Nut grows in USDA hardiness zones 10 through 12 (USDA PHZM 2023). Zone is one factor — soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific parcel also shape whether it takes.
When should you plant Physic Nut?
Most growers plant physic nut after the last spring frost, once the soil has warmed, leaving enough of the season for its 365-day frost-free need. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.
How much sun does Physic Nut need?
Physic Nut needs full sun — a spot that catches at least 6 hours of direct summer sun a day. In more shade it still grows, but usually gives a smaller, later crop. The catch is that a yard rarely gets even light everywhere — a fence, the house, or one tall tree can quietly take those hours. A Growable Ground report reads the real sun-hours across your land, canopy and buildings included, so you can pick the brightest bed before you plant.
What soil does Physic Nut need?
Physic Nut prefers soil pH 5 to 8, on well-drained ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Physic Nut attract pollinators?
Yes — physic nut's flowers are a solid nectar source for honeybees and native bees (Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership).
Is Physic Nut safe for pets?
Physic Nut is toxic to pets (dogs,cats) with severe severity. Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency.