Bigseed Biscuitroot: A Hardy Native Ground Cover for Water-Wise Gardens
If you’re looking for a tough, drought-tolerant native plant that can handle harsh conditions while providing subtle beauty to your landscape, bigseed biscuitroot (Lomatium macrocarpum) might be just what you need. This unassuming perennial forb is a true survivor of the western North American landscape, offering gardeners a low-maintenance option for challenging spots in the garden.
What is Bigseed Biscuitroot?
Bigseed biscuitroot is a native perennial that belongs to the carrot family. Don’t let the name fool you – while it may not sound particularly glamorous, this hardy little plant has earned its place in water-wise gardens across the western United States and Canada. It’s a forb, which simply means it’s a non-woody plant that dies back to the ground each winter and returns fresh each spring.
The plant gets its common name from its relatively large seeds and its historical use by Native American peoples, who harvested and prepared the roots as food – hence the biscuitroot moniker.
Where Does It Grow Naturally?
This resilient native spans an impressive range across western North America. You’ll find bigseed biscuitroot growing wild from the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, down through much of the western United States including California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
What Does It Look Like?
Bigseed biscuitroot won’t win any contests for showiness, but it has a quiet charm that grows on you. The plant stays quite low, reaching only about 6 inches tall, with a prostrate, ground-hugging growth habit. Its finely textured, gray-green foliage creates an attractive carpet-like effect.
In early spring, small white flowers appear in characteristic umbrella-shaped clusters called umbels. While individual flowers aren’t particularly conspicuous, they’re valuable for early-season pollinators when few other flowers are available. The blooms give way to brown seeds later in spring.
Why Grow Bigseed Biscuitroot?
There are several compelling reasons to consider adding this native plant to your landscape:
- Extreme drought tolerance: Once established, this plant can thrive with just 8-16 inches of annual precipitation
- Low maintenance: It has low fertility requirements and doesn’t need regular watering once established
- Native wildlife support: Early spring flowers provide nectar for native bees and beneficial insects
- Erosion control: Its ground-hugging growth habit helps stabilize soil
- Cold hardy: Can withstand temperatures down to -28°F
- Authentic to place: Supporting local ecosystems by growing regionally native plants
Where to Use It in Your Landscape
Bigseed biscuitroot shines in specific garden situations:
- Rock gardens: Perfect for tucking between stones where its low profile won’t compete with other plants
- Xeriscaping: An excellent choice for water-wise landscapes
- Native plant gardens: Essential for authentic regional native plantings
- Naturalized areas: Great for meadow-style plantings or restoration projects
- Difficult sites: Ideal for areas with poor soil or challenging growing conditions
Growing Conditions and Care
One of the best things about bigseed biscuitroot is how easy it is to grow – as long as you give it what it wants:
Soil Requirements
- Prefers coarse to medium-textured soils with excellent drainage
- Avoid heavy clay or fine-textured soils
- Tolerates pH between 6.0-8.5
- Low fertility requirements – don’t over-fertilize
Light and Water
- Needs full sun – shade intolerant
- Extremely drought tolerant once established
- Water sparingly – this plant prefers to stay on the dry side
Climate
- Hardy in USDA zones 3-8
- Requires at least 105 frost-free days
- Moderate growth rate with active growth in spring
Planting and Propagation
Growing bigseed biscuitroot from seed is your best bet, as it’s typically not available through regular nursery channels. The plant produces about 100,000 seeds per pound, though they spread slowly on their own. Seeds don’t require cold stratification, making them relatively easy to work with.
The plant can also be propagated by tubers, though this method is less common for home gardeners. If you’re planning a large-scale planting, you can plant 1,700-4,800 plants per acre, depending on your goals.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
While bigseed biscuitroot is a wonderful native plant, it’s not for every garden situation:
- It has a relatively short lifespan as perennials go
- Not suitable for high-traffic areas due to its prostrate growth
- Foliage dies back completely in winter
- Very slow to establish and spread
- Limited commercial availability – you may need to grow from seed
The Bottom Line
Bigseed biscuitroot may not be the flashiest plant in the native plant world, but it’s a reliable, authentic choice for gardeners wanting to support local ecosystems while creating beautiful, sustainable landscapes. If you have a sunny, well-draining spot that needs a tough ground cover, and you’re patient enough to let this slow-growing beauty establish itself, bigseed biscuitroot could be an excellent addition to your native plant palette.
Its early spring flowers will welcome the first pollinators of the season, and its drought tolerance means you can plant it and largely forget about it – exactly what every busy gardener needs in their low-maintenance toolkit.
