Bloodroot Plant Care
Sanguinaria canadensis L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Sanguinaria canadensis, bloodroot, is a perennial, herbaceous flowering plant native to eastern North America. It is the only species in the genus Sanguinaria, included in the poppy family Papaveraceae, and is most closely related to Eomecon of eastern Asia.
Part shade to full shade
At a glance
How do you care for Bloodroot?
Bloodroot grows best in part shade to full shade. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Bloodroot Native To?
What Is the Bloodroot?
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) belongs to the Papaveraceae family within the Sanguinaria genus. Bloodroot is native to eastern North America. Bloodroot is also known as Red Puccoon, Canadian Bloodroot.
Bloodroot displays a low clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Bloodroot produces white, pink, or red flowers in early spring.
What Light Does the Bloodroot Need?
Bloodroot thrives in part shade to full shade. Avoid placing Bloodroot in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Part shade to full shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Bloodroot?
Rich, moist, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Bloodroot to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Bloodroot?
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 Bloodroot?
Bloodroot can be propagated through division of rhizomes.
Is the Bloodroot 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 Bloodroot?
Bloodroot is susceptible to slugs, snails, aphids. 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.
Keep exploring plants
Bloodroot 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 Sanguinaria genus — compare its care with other Sanguinaria species on PlantoScan.
Sanguinaria is part of the Papaveraceae plant family — browse all Papaveraceae genera and species.
Bloodroot copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Sanguinaria canadensis L., family Papaveraceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 505 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Bloodroot 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.
- 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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