Wild ginger
Asarum canadense
A native eastern North American clump-forming deciduous perennial with heart-shaped foliage and hidden ground-level maroon flowers (pollinated by ground-dwelling beetles + flies). Forms dense colonies via rhizomes. Aromatic rhizome was historically used as a ginger substitute by Indigenous peoples + colonial settlers (true ginger is unrelated tropical Zingiber).
Native: 10 US states
Climate fit: narrow (39/100)
Filler
Light
Part shade
Water
Consistent moisture
Mature size
4-8" tall · 12" apart
Hardy in zones
4a-6b
very cold to cold winters
AHS heat range
1-6
Plant range authored in AHS heat-zone terms.
Native in Illinois
Yes
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Native across 10 US states and Canadian provinces — a wide-ranging part of North America's plant communities.
Cold hardiness
These values are location-based: this location's current hardiness is the baseline, and the 2050 value is a projected future climate for this same location.
Now
Zone 6b
Plotwright
USDA Zone 6b
-5°F to 0°F
Marginal
Zone 7a
Plotwright
0°F to 5°F
Won't grow here
In plain terms: This location has cold winters. Its winters are projected to keep warming through 2050.
⚠→✕
Marginal today, but likely out of range by 2050.
Heat tolerance
Heat tolerance values are location-based too: heat days today are observed at this site, and the 2050 value projects this same location under a future climate.
Loading AHS heat-zone data for this location...
Where this plant fits
Suitable across 26 ecoregions — 11 climate-resilient through 2070 · 15 suited today. Best matches first.
Plant this, not that
Better fit for this place
For Chicago, IL, these are replacement suggestions: similar plants with a stronger hardiness fit now and/or in 2050.
Polystichum acrostichoides
Christmas fern
A native evergreen fern of eastern North America that holds leathery dark green fronds through winter and provides ground-level songbird cover — ideal for shaded woodland slopes and erosion-prone banks.
Better fit now and in 2050
Now: well-suited
2050: well-suited
Sanguinaria canadensis
Bloodroot
A native eastern North American spring ephemeral wildflower with pristine white 8-12-petaled flowers in early spring (often the first major forest-floor wildflower of the year) wrapped by a single rounded glaucous leaf. Disappears by midsummer to underground rhizomes. The red rhizome sap was historically used by Indigenous peoples as a dye and ceremonial paint.
Better fit now and in 2050
Now: well-suited
2050: well-suited
Podophyllum peltatum
Mayapple
A native eastern North American spring ephemeral with distinctive umbrella-shaped leaves on paired stems, a single nodding white flower hidden beneath, and a single fleshy edible fruit when ripe. All other plant parts toxic; only fully ripe yellow fruit is edible. Forms extensive colonies via underground rhizomes in deciduous forest understory.
Better fit now and in 2050
Now: well-suited
2050: well-suited
Adiantum pedatum
Northern maidenhair fern
A native fern with one of the most distinctive frond architectures in the plant kingdom: delicate emerald-green fronds borne on black wiry stems arranged in a horizontal pinwheel (palmate) pattern. Mature plants form layered tiers of pinwheels. Deciduous but utterly charming through the growing season. Excellent for damp shade — moist rich woodland soils are the ideal habitat.
Better fit now and in 2050
Now: well-suited
2050: well-suited
Similar plants
Browse lateral options with similar roles, light needs, size, or native-range overlap; these are not filtered for a better climate fit.
Sanguinaria canadensis
Bloodroot
A native eastern North American spring ephemeral wildflower with pristine white 8-12-petaled flowers in early spring (often the first major forest-floor wildflower of the year) wrapped by a single rounded glaucous leaf. Disappears by midsummer to underground rhizomes. The red rhizome sap was historically used by Indigenous peoples as a dye and ceremonial paint.
Polystichum acrostichoides
Christmas fern
A native evergreen fern of eastern North America that holds leathery dark green fronds through winter and provides ground-level songbird cover — ideal for shaded woodland slopes and erosion-prone banks.
Viola sororia
Common blue violet
A low, clump-forming native woodland violet of eastern North America, grown for its early spring blue-to-purple flowers with conspicuous white throats held over glossy, heart-shaped leaves. It does not run, but self-seeds freely — to the point of being weedy in rich, moist ground. A larval host for fritillary butterflies and a nectar source for early bees and butterflies; the leaves are high in vitamins A and C.
Iris cristata
Dwarf crested iris
A diminutive native woodland iris forming spreading mats of low sword-shaped foliage topped briefly in spring by delicate light-blue flowers with bold yellow + white "crests" running down each fall. One of the most charming native perennials for partly shaded sites. Among the smallest native irises (6-9" tall) — works beautifully as a groundcover under deciduous shrubs + along path edges. ALL parts toxic (typical iris caveat).
Tiarella cordifolia
Foamflower
A native eastern North American semi-evergreen perennial with heart-shaped foliage and frothy white-to-pink spring flower spikes — among the most reliable native shade groundcovers for woodland gardens. Spreads by stolons in some forms; clumping in others (cultivars selected for both habits).
Podophyllum peltatum
Mayapple
A native eastern North American spring ephemeral with distinctive umbrella-shaped leaves on paired stems, a single nodding white flower hidden beneath, and a single fleshy edible fruit when ripe. All other plant parts toxic; only fully ripe yellow fruit is edible. Forms extensive colonies via underground rhizomes in deciduous forest understory.
Sources & citations
Cite this page
For lesson plans, articles, or research that uses this page. To cite a single upstream fact instead, use its specific source listed below.
Plotwright. (2026, May 17). Wild ginger (Asarum canadense). Retrieved 2026, June 24, from https://plotwright.com/plants/asarum-canadense
Sources for every fact
Every fact on this page traces to a source. 18 fields cited - 18 source-backed.
NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
University extension service
Backs 17 fields
Identity
Summary
Plant type
Light
Moisture
Hardiness
Heat zone
Size
Spacing
Habit
Design roles
Seasonal interest
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Lifecycle
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Designer notes