Red Dead Redemption 2 and Red Dead Online feature a crafting and cooking system which allows players to create items such as tonics, special weapons, meals and horse tonics by using a variety of raw materials. As similar items sold in shops are not as good as the ones obtained through crafting, engaging in this activity will result in the player obtaining a distinct advantage.
Most of the materials needed for creating items can be obtained through hunting, but you won’t be able to create much if you completely ignore herbs and plants.
There’s a huge variety of herbs available in both story mode and online, and each one of them can be used in both crafting and cooking.
Finding all of them is in no way required to complete the story, but it is to master the game, as you need to complete the Herbalist Challenge in order to attain 100% Completion: the ninth rank in the challenge requires players to pick one of each species of herb, which can be a daunting task if one does not know where to look.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the available plants, detailing their use in either crafting and cooking and where to find them. As the same map is shared between Red Dead Redemption 2 story mode and Red Dead Online, the locations where to find the herbs are the same.
Please note that there will be some light story mode spoilers due to some of the locations, so avoid reading the guide in full if you have yet to complete the story mode.
Article Contents
Finding and Picking Plants
Plants can be found pretty much all over the world, with select types only available in specific locations. To easily spot the location of an herb, you must activate Eagle Eye and follow the light particles. Once near the plant, you can choose to pick it up or eat it on the spot. As each type of herb can restore either the Health, Stamina and Dead Eye core once consumed, they can also be used as an emergency method of healing and restoration.
As herbs grow in the wild, you will often have to travel away from the main roads, so don’t be afraid to take detours when heading from one story mission to the next in the story mode. Herbs are found in the same way in Red Dead Online, so make sure to activate Eagle Eye as often as you can while in Free Roam mode to spot and pick them up. As money is hard to come by in the online mode, you may also want to sell unneeded herbs for a small profit.
There are 30 common plants in the Red Dead Redemption 2 and Red Dead Online. Some can be found in multiple areas, while some only in specific ones. Once a herb has been picked up for the first time, all of its information will be added to the Compendium.
Herbs Location
Alaskan Ginseng
The Alaskan Ginseng is usually found in forests and moist areas. The herb is easy to find in Ambarino and in the northwest of West Elizabeth. The Alaskan Ginseng, which can be used to craft the Potent Miracle Tonic, can be spotted from a distance thanks to the red berries growing over it.
American Ginseng
The American Ginseng can be found in forests and moist areas, specifically in all of West Elizabeth and the areas on the edges of the New Hanover region. The American Ginseng, which is used to create Potent Miracle Tonic like the Alaskan Ginseng, can be spotted from afar thanks to the red berries growing on top of it, same as its Alaskan counterpart.
Bay Bolete
The Bay Bolete is one of the most common herbs to find in the game. It grows in Tall trees, West Elizabeth and Caliban’s Seat, near the river in the region. The Bay Bolete, which can be used to craft Potent Predator Bait, can be spotted from afar thanks to its bright caps.
Blackberry
Blackberries are even more common than the Bay Bolete, as they can be found pretty much everywhere near hills and woodlands. The Blackberry, which can be used to craft Potent Herbivore Bait, are spotted easily thanks to the bushes where they grow.
Blackcurrant
Blackcurrants are another type of berry, but they are quite less common than the Blackberries. They grow in well-lit areas away from water in Gaptooth Ridge and Cholla Springs in the New Austin region. The Blackcurrant, which can be used to create Special Snake Oil, is identified easily from afar by the bushes carrying black berries.
Burdock Root
The Burdock Root can be commonly found in the Great Plains region, alongside river banks and train tracks. The herb, which is used to craft Special Bitters, can be identified by their grassy appearance.
Chanterelles
The Chanterelles can be found in the grassy areas and woodlands of the Lemoyne region and in the eastern part of New Hanover. This fungi, which can be used to craft Potent Herbivore Bait, can be identified by its yellow dome.
Common Bulrush
As the name implies, the Common Bulrush can be found pretty much in all regions of the map near streams and lakes. The Common Bulrush, which is used to craft Horse Ointment, can be identified by its broad grass steams.
Creeping Thyme
The Creeping Thyme is yet another very common herb that can be found in every region of the game. This herb grows in sandy soil, so it’s easy to find near rocks and river banks. The Creeping Thyme, which is used as seasoning for the thyme recipes, is identified for its clover-like leaves.
Desert Sage
The Desert Sage is a rare type of sage which can only be found in the western areas of Gaptooth Ridge in New Austin. The herb, which is used to craft Horse Ointment, is identified by its purple flowers.
English Mace
The English Mace can be found after completing Chapter 2, east of O’Creagh’s Run and slightly northwest of Martha’s Swain, where the contour lines of the map come to a point similar to a fountain pen – below and slightly right of the X road intersection.
You can also find it after completing the game, near the river banks of the Rio Bravo in New Austin, which can be accessed during the Epilogue. This herb, which is used to craft Special Health Cure, can be spotted from afar thanks to its yellow flowers.
Evergreen Huckleberry
The Evergreen Huckleberry can be found near the whole length of the Kamassa River, which runs through the Lemoyne and New Hanover region. These berries, which can be used to craft Potent Predator Bait, can be identified by the sharp leaves on the shrubs.
Golden Currant
The Golden Currant can be found only near streams in West Elizabeth and in the northeast of New Hanover, but they are quite common, so there shouldn’t be any problem in finding them. The Golden Currant, which is used to craft the Special Snake Oil, can be spotted from afar thanks to its gold-colored fruits.
Hummingbird Sage
The Hummingbird Sage can be found in areas with dense foliage and under trees in Lemoyne, in the western part of West Elizabeth, and on the river banks of the Kamassa River. This herb, which can be used in cooking, is identified by the tiny purple flowers.
Indian Tobacco
The Indian Tobacco is also quite common to find, as it grows in woodlands and savannas located in West Elizabeth, Ambarino and Lemoyne. The tobacco, which can be used to craft Potent Miracle Tonic, is identified by their height, which can be spotted from a moderate distance.
Milkweed
The Milkweed is mostly found in the Lemoyne region, near the river banks of Bayou Nwa and Dewberry Creek. The herb is also easy to find in the swamps near Saint Denis. The herb can be used to restore your Health Core slightly and has no use in crafting and cooking.
Oleander Sage
The Oleander Sage is only found near Saint Denis, in Lemoyne. The place where it’s easier to find are the river banks of Bayou Nwa. This herb, which is used to craft Poison weapons like the Poison Throwing Knife and the Poison Arrow, can be spotted from afar thanks to its pinkish flowers.
Oregano
The Oregano is one of the most common herbs to find, as it can be picked up in pretty much all regions of the map. They usually grow in dry grasslands. The Oregano, which is used in cooking, also restores the stamina core slightly if eaten.
Parasol Mushroom
The Parasol Mushroom is among the most common mushrooms in America, as it can be found in well-drained soil and woodlands across the map. The mushroom, which is used to craft the Special Horse Reviver as well as Herbivore Bait, can be spotted by its pale color.
Prairie Poppy
The Prairie Poppy can only be found in the Great Plains in the West Elizabeth regions, mostly near the train tracks. This herb, which is used to craft Special Snake Oil, can be identified by its yellow blossoms.
Ram’s Head
The Ram’s Head is found mainly in West Elizabeth and Ambarino, in woodlands and forests near tree trunks. This fungi, which is used to craft Potent Herbivore Bait, can be spotted at the base of trees easily.
Red Raspberry
The Red Raspberry is among the most common berries to find in the game, as it can be found in pretty much every region of the map. This berry, which can be used to craft Potent Herbivore Bait as well as regular Predator Bait, is identified easily by the bushes it grows on, as they are the largest of all.
Red Sage
The Red Sage can only be found near Rio Bravo, in New Austin. As such, it can only be picked up after the game has been completed, as New Austin cannot be explored safely before the Epilogue. This herb, which is used in cooking to enhance Stamina Core restoration, is identified by its characteristic red flowers.
Vanilla Flower
The Vanilla Flower can only be found in a very specific location, the river banks of Bayou Nwa. This herb, which is used for crafting Potent Herbivore Bait, is easily spotted on trees’ barks thanks to its vanilla colored blossoms.
Violet Snowdrops
The Violet Snowdrops require a particular climate to grow, so they can only be found in the coldest region of the game, which is the northern part of Ambarino. This herb cannot be found in the snowy areas, so search for their bright violet blossoms in the areas near the ones covered in snow. The Violet Snowdrops can be used to craft Potent Herbivore Bait.
Wild Carrot
Wild Carrots can be found pretty much everywhere on the map, as there is no area where they are more common to find. To spot them, you can use the white cluster of white flowers growing nearby. While they can be found everywhere, they are more likely to appear in plains. The carrots can be used to restore your horse’s health as well as to create Horse Meal.
Wild Feverfew
The Wild Feverfew can only be found in Cholla Springs, New Austin, making it one of the herbs that can only be collected during the Epilogues. The Wild Feverfew, which is used to restore Stamina Core by eating it, is identified by its little white petals.
Wild Mint
Wild Mint is extremely common to find near streams, marshes and moist meadows all over the map. Wild Mint is primarily used for cooking, enhancing the health restoration properties of food.
Wintergreen Berry
The Wintergreen Berry can be found in the coldest regions of the world, in the northeast of Ambarino and New Hanover. These berries, which are used to craft Potent Predator Bait, can be spotted easily thanks to their red color.
Yarrow
The Yarrow is found primarily in the grasslands and open forest areas in New Hanover and Lemoyne. This herb, which is used to craft Potent Health Cure, can be spotted thanks to its red-colored flowers.
Acuna’s Star Orchid
This valuable plant is normally found growing around trees. This plant can be found on the eastern coast of Bayou Nwa, Lemoyne.
Cigar Orchid
It can be identified by its bright yellow petals, and can be found in Bluewater Marsh, Lemoyne growing off other plants and trees.
Clamshell Orchid
This plant can be identified by its dark purple petals having bright yellow streaks running through them. This plant can be found in Bayou Nwa and Scarlett Meadows, Lemoyne.
Dragon’s Mouth Orchid
This valuable plant can be identified by its purple, dragon-like feathers, and is normally around 6 inches in size. This plant is found in the wet lowlands of Grizzlies East, Ambarino and O’Creagh’s Run.
Ghost Orchid
As the name suggests, the plant’s flower resembles a ghost. It can be found growing in Bayou Nwa, Lemoyne. You will find this plant growing in areas that are generally shaded, such as woodlands, under the soil and under leaves. The flower itself is the only part you’ll see.
Lady of the Night Orchid
This plant has a flower in the shape of a white heart with long leaves. It can be found in Bayou Nwa, Lemoyne growing on tree trunks.
Lady Slipper Orchid
This plant has a petal which resembles a pouch. This plant grows underground in meadows and forests. It is also found growing in woodland areas such as Tall trees and Big Valley region of West Elizabeth.
Moccasin Flower Orchid
It can be identified by a yellow petal, which resembles a pouch along with wide leaves and a red sepal. This plant can be found growing in woodlands and forests near pines and conifers, and in Roanoke Ridge in New Hannover.
Night Scented Orchid
This plant can be identified by its alternating stems, white petal flowers and long sepals growing off other plants. This plant can be found in the swampland areas in Bayou Nwa, Lemoyne.
Queen’s Orchid
This plant can be found in Bayou Nwa, Lemoyne. Its purple and white colored curled petals and white sepals identify this plant. This plant is extremely rare and holds great value.
Rat Tail Orchid
This plant can be found growing on rocks in Bayou Nwa, Lemoyne. You can identify it by its long white petals. Either this orchid can be growing around trees or they can be growing from the ground.
Sparrow’s Egg Orchid
The most common areas where you can find this plant are on the banks located in Roanoke Ridge in New Hanover along with the damp forest grounds. They generally grow up to a height of 12 inches. Their sparrow egg shaped white petals can easily distinguish these plants from others.
Spider Orchid
This flower can be found fully-grown in many different colors such as white, copper/wine red and a spotted yellow. These flowers are found in damp forest areas as well as swamp lands of Bayou Nwa, Lemoyne. These flowers have long sepals, which bear resemblance to the legs of a spider as the name suggests. This is a rare and a valuable flower.
