Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) is a native woodland groundcover found throughout eastern North America, including Illinois. It thrives in moist, shady forests, forming dense colonies with its soft, heart-shaped leaves and unique, cup-shaped reddish-brown flowers that bloom close to the ground in spring. Though not related to culinary ginger, its roots have a similar scent.
Best time to collect seeds:
Late spring to early summer — typically May through early July, depending on your location.
Signs seeds are ready:
After flowering, the plant produces small, greenish capsules near the ground.
These capsules split open when mature, revealing shiny, brown to black seeds.
Each seed has a fleshy elaiosome — a structure ants find irresistible, helping with seed dispersal (a process called myrmecochory).
Seed collection tips:
Check frequently — the seeds ripen and disperse quickly (ants will often beat you to them).
Harvest just as the capsules begin to split — gently open them to extract the seeds.
Allow to dry briefly if damp, then store in a breathable container in a cool, dry place.
Germination note:
Wild Ginger seeds require moist cold stratification for 2–3 months to germinate reliably. You can:
Mix with moist sand and refrigerate for 60–90 days.
Or sow directly in fall for natural stratification over winter.
NEED AN EASIER METHOD? CLICK HERE FOR RHIZOME DIVISION OF WILD GINGER.