Create Your Garden

Wild Ginger

Wild ginger may not spice up your tea, but it definitely spices up your shade garden! This charming woodland groundcover, known botanically as Asarum canadense, is a native North American plant that thrives in moist, shady spots. With its heart-shaped leaves and hidden maroon flowers tucked close to the ground, it’s a low-growing beauty with big appeal.

Despite its name, the wild ginger plant isn’t related to true ginger (Zingiber officinale). Instead, it belongs to the Aristolochiaceae family, which includes some surprising relatives like Dutchman’s Pipe (Aristolochia macrophylla), a dramatic vine known for its unusual, pipe-shaped flowers.

Other wild ginger species include Western wild ginger (Asarum caudatum), Sierra wild ginger (Asarum hartwegii), Chinese wild ginger (Asarum splendens), and European wild ginger (Asarum europaeum)—each with its own personality and charm.

The leaves of wild ginger aren’t just pretty—they’re also a clever adaptation. Their dense growth helps smother weeds and keep the soil cool and moist, making this plant a great eco-friendly groundcover. And while it’s not edible like its spicy namesake, wild ginger does play a vital role in nature. Its flowers attract tiny pollinators like fungus gnats, and its seeds come with a treat called an elaiosome, which ants love—so they help spread it!

If you’re looking to fill a shady nook with native flair and pollinator-friendly charm, the wild ginger plant just might be your new best friend.

Wild Ginger, Asarum canadense, Canada Wild Ginger, Snake Root, Black Snakeweed, Canadian Snakeroot, Colic Root, False Crowfoot, Ginger Root, Heart-Leaf, Pigs, Southern Snakeroot, Southern Wild Ginger, Vermont Snakeroot
Refine by
Clear all filters
HardinessWhat's My Zone?
Climate Zones
Season of Interest
Exposure
Maintenance
Water Needs

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone