How to Plant Sarsaparilla

Sarsaparilla is part of the Smilax genus of plants and is native to various parts of the world from Western Europe to South America, according to Plants for a Future. Traditionally sarsaparilla roots were used to flavor drinks, including a drink of the same name that tastes like root beer. Sarsaparilla grows on woody vines and is only hardy to the U.S. Department of Agricultural zone 9 and higher. It can grow up to 10 feet tall.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Select a site for your sarsaparilla plant. It needs full sun to partial sun or dappled shade and moist soil. In the wild it grows along riverbanks, so soil moisture is more important than soil type. It can handle sandy soil and clay soil.

   • 2

     Dig a hole for the sarsaparilla plant as deep as the root ball and twice as wide.

   • 3

     Remove the plant from the container, and place the sarsaparilla plant into the hole; fill the hole with soil.

   • 4

     Water the soil around the sarsaparilla plant well for five to seven minutes.