John's Cabbage
Hydrophyllum canadense
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Pl. 7BD5 — Hydrophyllum canadense
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IOverview
Overview
John's Cabbage (Hydrophyllum canadense) is a perennial forb found in the eastern United States and southeastern Canada, thriving in moist environments with partial sun to shade. Native to Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Québec, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, this plant is known for its edible leaves and roots. One distinctive feature of John's Cabbage is its ability to grow in a variety of soil types, including light (sandy), medium, and heavy (clay) soils, making it adaptable to different habitats.
Quick answers
What is John's Cabbage?
John's Cabbage (Hydrophyllum canadense) is a perennial forb found in the eastern United States and southeastern Canada, thriving in moist environments with partial sun to shade.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
John's Cabbage thrives in partial sun to shade and requires moist soil that can be light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is hardy in zones 4-8 and grows as a perennial, reaching heights of about 0.3 meters. Propagate via division or seed. The edible parts include leaves and roots, making it suitable for both ornamental and culinary use.
Light
Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
4-8
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
0.3 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow John's Cabbage for the first time
8steps
Start with John's Cabbage to learn about growing perennials in partial shade and moist conditions.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or young plants, a garden fork, compost.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost or in early fall.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a spot with partial shade. Amend soil with compost for good drainage.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds 0.5 cm deep, or plant young seedlings 30-45 cm apart.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep the soil consistently moist and mulch to retain moisture.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water regularly, especially during dry spells. Remove any weeds that compete for nutrients.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune dead leaves to encourage new growth and maintain plant health.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in full sun, neglecting to mulch.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:LeavesRoot
Edible uses: The leaves and roots of John's Cabbage can be eaten. The leaves are often used fresh in salads or cooked as a vegetable. Roots can also be consumed after digging and cleaning, typically prepared by boiling or roasting.
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
24 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
24 native · 0 introducedDistribution across1 continent· 24 native
Asia1 region
native (1)Georgia
Broader regions
native:Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Québec, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Masachusettes, Kentucky
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
Explore further
Companion planting
Growing zone
XII
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Back to the cataloguePlant id · 7bd5f61b-2fa2-4fb2-bae4-9eaf532941c5
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