American Ginseng Herb Seed

Product ID:900.11900
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American Ginseng Ginseng
    American Ginseng Ginseng

Quick Facts

Latin Name

Panax quinquefolius

Days To Maturity

Days To Maturity

Average number of days from seeding date to harvest, within a specific crop group. If a transplanted crop: average number of days from transplant date. Not sure if crop is direct-seeded or transplanted? Check the Growing Information box for details. If crop can be both direct-seeded or transplanted, days to maturity refers to direct seeding. Days to maturity for all flowers and herbs is calculated from seeding date.

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5-6 years to root harvest

Life Cycle

Life Cycle

Plants can be Annuals (single growing season), Perennials (grow year after year), Tender Perennials (grow year after year in warmer climates; and in some cases when given special protection in colder climates), or Biennials (require two years to mature).

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Perennial

Hybrid Status

Hybrid Status

Hybrid: The offspring of a cross between two or more distinct parent lines, usually of same species, and selected for improved traits.
Open-pollinated: A non-hybrid variety that can reproduce itself in kind, demonstrating relatively stable traits from one generation to the next.

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Open Pollinated

American Ginseng Herb Seed

Product ID:900.11900

A woodland plant native to eastern North America.

Ginseng favors well-drained, humus-rich soil on north and east-facing slopes. Grow in 70%+ shade. Harvest roots in fall of 5th or 6th year. NOTE: Because this item is considered an endangered species, it cannot be shipped outside the US.

Specs:

  • Packet: 50 seeds
  • Avg. 500 seeds/oz

Quick Facts

Latin Name

Panax quinquefolius

Days To Maturity

Days To Maturity

Average number of days from seeding date to harvest, within a specific crop group. If a transplanted crop: average number of days from transplant date. Not sure if crop is direct-seeded or transplanted? Check the Growing Information box for details. If crop can be both direct-seeded or transplanted, days to maturity refers to direct seeding. Days to maturity for all flowers and herbs is calculated from seeding date.

Close

5-6 years to root harvest

Life Cycle

Life Cycle

Plants can be Annuals (single growing season), Perennials (grow year after year), Tender Perennials (grow year after year in warmer climates; and in some cases when given special protection in colder climates), or Biennials (require two years to mature).

Close

Perennial

Hybrid Status

Hybrid Status

Hybrid: The offspring of a cross between two or more distinct parent lines, usually of same species, and selected for improved traits.
Open-pollinated: A non-hybrid variety that can reproduce itself in kind, demonstrating relatively stable traits from one generation to the next.

Close

Open Pollinated

  • This product does not ship to Canada.
  • This product does not ship to the following countries: United Arab Emirates,  Austria,  Australia,  Barbados,  Belgium,  Bulgaria,  Bermuda,  Bahamas,  Switzerland,  Cyprus,  Czech Republic,  Germany,  Denmark,  Estonia,  Spain,  Finland,  France,  United Kingdom,  Greece,  Hong Kong,  Croatia,  Hungary,  Ireland,  Iceland,  Italy,  Japan,  Republic of Korea,  Kuwait,  Cayman Islands,  Lithuania,  Luxembourg,  Latvia,  Malta,  Netherlands,  Norway,  New Zealand,  Oman,  Poland,  Portugal,  Qatar,  Romania,  Saudi Arabia,  Sweden,  Singapore,  Slovenia,  Slovakia,  San Marino,  Thailand,  Trinidad and Tobago,  Taiwan,  Ukraine.

Stratified seeds ship in September for fall planting.

Stratified seeds are shipped in September for fall planting.

DAYS TO GERMINATION:

180+ days.

SOWING:

Direct seed: Sow seeds ½-¾" deep (never more than 1" deep) and about 3" apart (15-20 seeds per square foot). Mulch with 3-4" of leaves or straw, and moisten the mulch to ensure that it remains in place. New shoots will be small when they first appear, and will look like bean sprouts with three small leaves. Keep well-weeded, but take care in weeding around young plants to avoid disturbing the roots. Once ginseng is well established, mulch will help to prevent weed growth.

LIGHT PREFERENCE:

Shade. American ginseng grows best in its natural habitat under a hardwood canopy with at least 70% shade, comprised preferably of oak, maple, sycamore, or basswood trees.

SOIL REQUIREMENTS:

American ginseng prefers a light loam soil that has high humus content and a pH of 5.0-6.0. Good drainage is critical to ensure healthy ginseng plants.

PLANT HEIGHT:

8-16".

PLANT SPACING:

3-6".

HARDINESS ZONES:

Zones 4-8.

HARVEST:

Harvest may begin at the end of the third growing season, but the ginsenoside content increases dramatically between the fourth and fifth years — many growers wait until then to harvest. Roots should be dug in early fall (late August or early September), as the ginsenoside content is highest right after the tops have died down and the roots have entered dormancy.
For full cultural information, see tech sheet on American Ginseng Production from Seeds.

SCIENTIFIC NAME:

Panax quinquefolius

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