Species golden seal
Golden Seal (Hydrastis canadensis) featuring palmate green leaves and a single white flower with golden stamens

golden seal

Hydrastis canadensis

Golden seal (Hydrastis canadensis) is a short, herbaceous plant with yellowish-white flowers growing in clusters at the tip of the stem. The leaves are large, thick, and lobed. When the plant flowers, it produces a bright yellowish-orange berry. The roots have been widely used for centuries in North America as traditional medicine. It is said to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and is used to treat a range of ailments from digestive complaints to skin problems. The active component of golden seal is a compound known as berberine, which has a bright lemon-yellow colour and may account for the plant's common name. The plant is also found in Europe and parts of Asia.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 8

Flowers:

Greenish-yellow to greenish-white Flowers

Sun:

Part shade

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Poisonous To Humans:

Yes

Poisonous To Pets:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Golden seal should be watered every 7-10 days. The soil should remain slightly moist, not wet. Take care not to over-water your golden seal as this could lead to root rot. Before watering, make sure the top 2-3 inches of soil is dry. If it's not, wait a few days before adding water. When watering, use lukewarm or room temperature water and use enough to thoroughly moisten the soil. Allow the water to drain away before placing it back in its original position.

sunlight

Golden seal, or Hydrastis canadensis, generally prefers a partly-shaded environment and thrives with indirect sunlight. The golden seal should be placed in an area with indirect morning sunlight, ideally receiving 4 to 5 hours of diffused sunlight per day. It may also be placed in a location that receives filtered sunlight during the afternoon but should be kept out of direct sunlight from the midday onward. In warmer climates, it is important to ensure that the plant is not exposed to night temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

pruning

Golden seal should be pruned in late winter while the plant is still dormant. Prune 1-third to 1-half of the current season's growth by cutting back any shoots that have grown significantly larger than the others. Be sure to make clean cuts, as ragged edges will invite infection. It is important to note that if pruning is done too heavily, the plant may not flower and will also be more prone to disease.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Hydrastis canadensis typically starts flowering in April or May.

Hardiness Map