Black Cohosh Plant Care
Actaea racemosa L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Actaea racemosa, the black cohosh, black bugbane, black snakeroot, rattle-top, or fairy candle, is a species of flowering plant of the family Ranunculaceae. It is native to eastern North America from the extreme south of Ontario to central Georgia, and west to Missouri and Arkansas.
Every 7–10 days
Partial to full shade
50–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Black Cohosh?
Water Black Cohosh every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial to full shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Black Cohosh Native To?
What Is the Black Cohosh?
Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa) belongs to the Ranunculaceae family within the Actaea genus. Black Cohosh is native to eastern North America from the extreme south of Ontario to central Georgia, and west to Missouri and Arkansas. Black Cohosh is also known as Black Bugbane, Black Snakeroot, Baneberry.
Black Cohosh displays a tall, clump-forming perennial growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Black Cohosh produces tall spikes of small white flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Black Cohosh?
Actaea racemosa requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Black Cohosh Need?
Black Cohosh thrives in partial to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Black Cohosh in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Partial to full shade
100–500 lux
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Black Cohosh Prefer?
Actaea racemosa grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Black Cohosh prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Black Cohosh?
Rich, moist, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Black Cohosh to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Black Cohosh?
Feed Black Cohosh every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Black Cohosh?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Black Cohosh?
Black Cohosh can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to dolls eyes plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Black Cohosh Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Toxic to humans and pets if ingested
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Black Cohosh?
Black Cohosh is susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Black Cohosh Need?
Black Cohosh grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Black Cohosh is native to eastern North America from the extreme south of Ontario to central Georgia, and west to Missouri and Arkansas. In cooler regions, grow Black Cohosh as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Black Cohosh is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Actaea genus — compare its care with other Actaea species on PlantoScan.
Actaea is part of the Ranunculaceae plant family — browse all Ranunculaceae genera and species.
Black Cohosh copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
More Actaea Species
Other Actaea species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Actaea racemosa L., family Ranunculaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 504 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Black Cohosh is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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