Wiping Out Annoying Pokeweed for Good

Pokeweed is a persistent and stubborn weed that can quickly take over gardens, lawns, and other landscapes. Getting rid of pokeweed takes some work, but with the right techniques, you can eradicate it for good.

What Is Pokeweed?

Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) is a large, herbaceous perennial plant native to North America. It sprouts in spring from a large, white taproot that can grow up to 4 inches in diameter and over 6 feet deep.

The plant grows rapidly, often reaching heights of 4-10 feet. It has smooth, green stems with long, pointed oval leaves. In summer, pokeweed produces clusters of small white flowers, followed by hanging branches of dark purple berries in fall.

Why Is Pokeweed So Hard to Get Rid Of?

Pokeweed is notoriously difficult to eradicate for several reasons:

• Its taproot grows very large and deep, with lateral roots spreading widely underground.
• A mature plant can produce up to 2,000 seeds per season that may remain viable in soil for up to 40 years.
• Seeds spread easily via birds and mammals that eat the berries.
• Any root fragments left behind can regenerate into new plants.

With its tenacious root system and abundance of long-lived seeds, getting rid of pokeweed requires diligence and using multiple control methods together for best results.

Dangers of Pokeweed

While pokeweed berries provide an important food source for birds and other wildlife, they are highly toxic to humans and pets if ingested. The roots, shoots, leaves and stems also contain toxins that can irritate the skin.

Pokeweed should always be handled with gloves and kept away from children and pets. Any skin irritation should be washed immediately. If pokeweed plant parts are ingested, seek medical help immediately.

Removing Pokeweed Manually

For small infestations, manually digging up pokeweed plants can be effective. Take precautions by wearing gloves, long sleeves and pants to prevent skin irritation.

Hand Pulling Seedlings and Small Plants

Young pokeweed seedlings are best removed by hand pulling. Wearing gloves, grab low and close to the root crown and pull straight up, removing the entire plant including all roots and root fragments. Taking care to remove all parts that might re-sprout is key. Dispose of pulled plants in trash bags.

Digging Out Larger Plants

For more established pokeweed with larger roots, use a spade or shovel. Dig a circle around the plant, about 18-24 inches away from the main stem. Then starting at the edge of the cleared circle, dig underneath to loosen the soil and cut the thick taproot. Lever the plant upward with the shovel to loosen and lift, removing all root parts possible.

Use the shovel or a garden fork to sift the soil and remove every piece of remaining root and rootlets to prevent regrowth. Dispose of removed plant parts in bags, making sure no seeds can escape.

Using a Rototiller

For large areas overrun by pokeweed, using a rototiller can help speed up removal. Set the tiller blades to dig down 8-12 inches to shred roots. Make several perpendicular passes to break up all root sections. Follow with raking up all visible root pieces. Expect the rototilling process to leave many tiny root fragments behind to deal with later.

Smothering Pokeweed Plants

Smothering pokeweed with opaque materials blocks light and prevents photosynthesis, eventually killing the plant. This approach can take time but uses no chemicals.

Smothering Small Areas

For small patches, lay down 3-4 sheets of cardboard or several layers of newspaper overlapping around plants to block light. Top with 3-4 inches of wood chip mulch or straw. Replace as needed if materials decay over time. Keep covered for at least one full growing season.

Using Landscape Fabric

For larger areas, layer the ground with durable landscape fabric before topping with mulch. Anchor the fabric edges with stakes all around to keep it in place. Leave covered for at least one full growing season before carefully removing to check for any regrowth.

Applying Organic Herbicides

Organic herbicides use natural ingredients like acids, oils and soaps to disrupt plant processes. Though not as immediately effective on pokeweed as chemical herbicides, they can provide control when applied repeatedly and allowed time to work.

Homemade Herbicide Recipes

Common homemade herbicide recipes include using household vinegar, lemon juice, or a mix of soap and oil. Use the following methods:

• Spray undiluted, 20% acetic acid white vinegar directly onto pokeweed leaves until wet on sunny days. Repeat every 7-10 days for at least a month.
• Mix 1 cup lemon juice, 1/2 cup Epsom salts and 1 gallon of water. Spray onto leaves until wet and allow solution to thoroughly dry on leaves before rain or watering.
• Shake a mix of 1 cup vegetable oil, 1 tbsp. dish soap and 1 gallon water well and spray plants on sunny days until dripping wet. Repeat weekly.

Buying Organic Herbicides

There are also commercial OMRI-listed organic herbicide products available utilizing various types of acids, oils, soaps and even plant essential oils as active ingredients. Follow manufacturer's instructions for best results.

Getting rid of existing pokeweed is only half the battle. Preventing new seedlings and regrowth from remaining roots left behind in soil completes the process. Here are some tips:

• Remove young seedlings quickly before they become established.
• Cover areas prone to pokeweed with landscape fabric topped with mulch layers.
• Repeatedly cultivate, dig and turn over soil to unearth any remaining roots or root fragments every 2-3 weeks during growing season.
• Avoid moving soil or plants from pokeweed-infested areas to uncontaminated areas to prevent seed spread.
• Consider resodding or solarizing soil after removal for a fresh start.

It may take persistence over more than one season, but with diligence you can eradicate pokeweed and reclaim your land for good.