Growing Boneset

  • Growing Boneset

    Posted by Laura on November 4, 2023 at 8:06 pm

    I have a small boneset plant, it doesn’t seem to be adjusting very well. It arrived about a month ago, I replanted it like the tag instructed, but it doesn’t seem to be making progress. I’m in East Central Florida, zone 9, and it’s in a small pot inside the screened room, filtered light. Any suggestions? Thank you. Laura

    Karen Elisa replied 11 months, 2 weeks ago 5 Members · 9 Replies
  • 9 Replies
  • Unknown Member

    Member
    November 7, 2023 at 10:08 am

    Hi Laura! you may find this article helpful. I have never tried to cultivate it. From the article, it takes a long time to adjust and sounds like it may not be suitable for container growing. How to Grow and Care for Boneset (thespruce.com)

  • Erica

    Member
    November 8, 2023 at 9:33 am

    I live where Boneset goes wild in Northern Wisconsin, Zone 4. This is what I can tell you about where I find Boneset and how tI keep the ones in my garden.

    I find Boneset in marshy wet areas. Their feet are not wet but the soil is very moist, edges of lakes, ponds, marshes. One of my favorite wild locations, the soil is sand but moist the plants are literally on the edge half in and half out of the water.

    In my garden I have them in a low area that has plenty of moisture. The sun light is dappled there too.

  • Thomas

    Administrator
    November 8, 2023 at 7:04 pm

    Hi Laura,

    Erica’s response was very good. I think it might be possible that your boneset plant will struggle in Florida due to the environment. I’m in zone 5 and we have a beaver-created wetland where it grows. I’m told that it is not easy to grow from seed, but I collected a bunch of seeds, which are available in the store, and plan to accept the challenge in the spring. Stay tuned as we develop our farm and gardens and herb sanctuary. There will be video and lots of opportunities to come and learn directly at our place.

    • Laura

      Member
      November 28, 2023 at 11:34 pm

      My boneset died. I may try the seeds and see how it goes. Thank you.

      • Unknown Member

        Member
        November 29, 2023 at 12:54 pm

        oh, so sad Laura.

        If you have access to wild spaces, I recommend looking for boneset in those areas. You can then observe the soil and environmental conditions it favors here and attempt to replicate in a container. I find it better to ID while in bloom which in zone 8b occurs in mid to late October.

  • Unknown Member

    Member
    November 8, 2023 at 9:19 pm

    I will also add that I live in USDA zone 8b (north Florida 2 miles south of the Georgia border). Boneset grows wild here. Although I have only infrequently found stands near my property large enough to harvest, I have also never gone hunting it.

  • Karen Elisa

    Member
    January 9, 2024 at 11:45 pm

    I am hoping to grow boneset in my garden come Spring. I was going to try growing it from seed. It sounds like it needs wetter conditions than I have near me. I may stubbornly try anyway. I am in Zone 7a, Saint Louis, Missouri. Thank you for the article.

    • Unknown Member

      Member
      January 10, 2024 at 6:52 pm

      you may be able to able to add more hummus to that garden patch to help retain water. Peat Moss often works well for that but I don’t know if the pH is compatible with boneset.

      • Karen Elisa

        Member
        January 10, 2024 at 7:08 pm

        Sallie, Thanks! I’ll try that.

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