Black cohosh

Actaea racemosa

Tall woodland perennial with feathery white flower spikes (1.5–2 m). Roots are a widely-used herb for menopausal symptom support.

Hardiness ratings

Black cohosh hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 3–8 −40 °C to −6.7 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
RHS hardiness rating H7 down to −20 °C Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance
Canadian plant hardiness zone Zone 3–8 −34 °C to −1 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 1–4 −15 °C to 5 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone

Growing notes

  • Strongly contraindicated in pregnancy
  • Liver toxicity has been reported with prolonged use; do not exceed 6 months continuous use without practitioner supervision
  • Ornamental as well as medicinal — striking white flower spikes in summer woodland borders
  • Always consult a qualified medical or herbal practitioner before using any plant medicinally

Pet caution: Black cohosh is listed as potentially harmful to cats and/or dogs. Keep pets from grazing on it, and contact a vet if you suspect your animal has eaten some.

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Black cohosh against your zones

Reference

Black cohosh on Wikipedia