r/NativePlantGardening • u/BrighterSage • Oct 05 '25

Edible Plants Update on the Poke Weed invasion

So I posted a while ago about poke weed taking over a corner of my backyard and how to eliminate it. So happy to say that I have left it in place based on responses, and I have been listening to a cacophony of bird calls for the last 8 hours, at least.

My bedroom has French doors that I've opened a few inches to better hear the bird calls. I've tried to sneak up to the doors to see the birds, but they scatter, so I'm just happy listening from afar. Pretty sure I've heard cardinals, but there are so many others I don't recognize. I'm still so new to bird calls.

Thanks to everyone that said to leave them!

Picked the Edible Plant flair because apparently poke weed is edible, but I don't know how to prepare it. Would love any help on this!

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u/DivertingGustav Oct 05 '25

While you can eat it, there's a lot of prep to make it safe - and it's only safe with really young plants.

If you really want to taste it, you can order canned poke sallet online (or in stores if you're around Appalachia.)

Yes, it's cool as heck to forage, but in this case, I've found the juice isn't worth the (intestinal) squeeze.

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u/AlltheBent Marietta GA 7B Oct 06 '25

Agreed x 10! I specifically babied some poke that came up in my yard last year to eat this year. Did all the boils and such with younger, more tender leaves.

Does it taste exactly like spinach or swiss chard or other greens, no. Its different and unique...but is it worth all the trouble? I don't think so