Wild ginger
Asarum caudatum
Last reviewed: September 2026
Wild ginger (Asarum caudatum) is a perennial forb native to CA, ID, MT, OR and 1 more states. It blooms in April and May. The flowers draw flies and fungus gnats.
Toxicity unknown
Wild ginger (Asarum caudatum) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
shade
Water
medium
Size
4"–8" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Apr, May
Native to
CA, ID, MT, OR and 1 more states
Pollinators
flies, fungus gnats
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 458 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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A low, mat-forming evergreen groundcover with heart-shaped, glossy leaves that carpet the forest floor. Small maroon-brown cup-shaped flowers hide beneath the foliage at ground level, largely unseen from above.
Growing Wild ginger
Grow Wild ginger in shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 4 to 8 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide.
Wildlife value
The hidden flowers are pollinated by ground-crawling flies and fungus gnats, and the dense foliage provides cover for small ground-dwelling insects.
Common questions
- How much sun does Wild ginger need?
- Wild ginger grows best in shade conditions.
- When does Wild ginger bloom?
- Wild ginger blooms in April and May.
- Where is Wild ginger native?
- Wild ginger (Asarum caudatum) is native to CA, ID, MT, OR and 1 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What pollinators does Wild ginger attract?
- Wild ginger draws flies and fungus gnats.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Wild ginger? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.