Question 1

Temperature requirements for first year or seedling American pokeweed

Accepted Answer

If this is the first year of your American pokeweed outside as a new plant, then it may need a little extra tending during the coldest months of the year. Not only can frost more severely damage a first-year American pokeweed, but it can also prevent it from growing back as a healthy plant come spring. This plant needs to be kept at 40℉(5℃) or above when they’re not yet established, which can be done either by bringing your American pokeweed inside for a month or two, or putting up mulch or fabric barriers that protect from frost damage.

It’s also a good idea to plant American pokeweed in a shadier spot during the first year or two, as smaller and weaker plants have a more difficult time maintaining their own temperatures in the heat. First-year American pokeweed should receive no more than five hours of direct sunlight per day, particularly if the ambient daytime temperature gets above 80℉(27℃). Shadecloth and frequent watering or misting are the keys to summer heat control.

Question 2

How can I protect American pokeweed from extreme temperatures?

Accepted Answer

If cold temperatures (below 15℉(-10℃)) do occur during the growing season, there are a few measures you can take to help protect American pokeweed from frost or cold damage. If you’re growing American pokeweed in a container, then the container can simply be brought inside in bright, indirect light until the temperatures rise up over the lower threshold again. Another option that’s better suited for ground-planted American pokeweed is to use mulch or horticultural fabric to create an insulated barrier around the plant, which will protect the plant from frost and cold wind.

For temperatures that are hotter than 80℉(27℃) in the shade during the day, be careful to only expose American pokeweed to six hours or less of sunlight per day, preferably in the morning hours. Putting up shade cloth, or a fine plastic mesh, can help reduce the amount of direct sunlight that hits the plant during the hottest parts of the day. You can also install a misting system that allows for a slow release of cooling mist around the base of the plant during the day to lower ground temperatures.

Question 3

Dormant season temperature recommendations for American pokeweed

Accepted Answer

During the cold winter months, American pokeweed needs a certain measure of cold in order to stay in dormancy until it’s time to sprout. Sprouting too early, that is before the danger of the last frost has passed, can be fatal to American pokeweed, especially if it’s already had a head start when the frost hits. Winter temperatures should ideally stay below 32℉(0℃), but if they get up to 40℉(5℃), everything will be just fine.

An unexpected warm spell during the cold months, which can happen in more temperate climates like woodland rainforests, can trigger a premature sprout from American pokeweed. In this case, if there’s still imminent danger of frost, you may want to try covering it with clear plastic on stakes so that the cold has less of a chance of damaging the new sprout. This setup can be removed when the danger of frost has passed. Occasionally, American pokeweed will be able to resprout at the correct time without any help, but this method increases the chances of a successful second sprouting.

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What is the optimal temperature for American pokeweed?

More Questions About American pokeweed

Temperature requirements for first year or seedling American pokeweed

How can I protect American pokeweed from extreme temperatures?

Dormant season temperature recommendations for American pokeweed