Chocolate White Snakeroot

Light Needs

Part Shade to Part Sun

(3-6 Hours Direct Sun)

Mature Height

3-5 Feet

Mature Spread

2-3 Feet

Growing Zones

3 to 8

Chocolate White Snakeroot, or Eupatorium Rugosum, is a rustic, cottage perennial with strong, upright stems that create dense, dramatic mounds of burgundy foliage. During its unusually long blooming season in the fall, Chocolate White Snakeroot flowers in bright, white inflorescence. These lightly scented snowfall clusters average 6 inches in diameter and rise 3 to 5 feet above their purple-shaded stems and foliage.

Native to Eastern North America, snakeroot takes its name from the Native Americans who used the roots to create a remedy for snake bites. Snakeroot is a beacon for butterflies and is an excellent source of nectar and pollen for insects. However, it should never be planted within the reach of cattle, specifically milk cows, as there is a poisonous substance within the plant that can cause deadly human milk sickness.

Chocolate White Snakeroot Care

The ideal growing climate for your Chocolate White Snakeroot is in partial shade. This variety of Snakeroot is more tolerant to shade than other varieties, but should not be planted in full shade. It prefers heavier, sandy soils, and can tolerate clay. The new growth of Chocolate White Snakeroot is a rich dark chocolate color that slowly turns green as the season progresses. It is extremely cold hardy and requires regular watering, especially if the top 3 inches of soil at the base of the plant are dry. The best fertilizer for Snakeroot is a slow-release feed, given in the early spring.

Your Snakeroot will require pruning in the early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. You can also cut Snakeroot all the way back in the late fall, after it has finished flowering. Remove old foliate and wilted leaves with pruning shears. You may need to stake your Snakeroot if you live in a windy area. Snakeroot is self-seeding and can spread quickly. Deadhead spent flowers to limit aggressive seeding.

Chocolate White Snakeroot Spacing

Chocolate White Snakeroot has a 2-3 foot spread and, when grown in mass, should be planted approximately ten inches apart. Snakeroot can be used as perennial borders, or as filler in mixed borders. It would be a focal point in a woodland garden.

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