How to Grow North American Ginseng
Panax quinquefolius L., commonly known as American ginseng, is a woodland perennial herb prized for its purported health benefits. According to the Ohio State University extension office, wild ginseng has been used in Chinese medicine for over 3,000 years. With ginseng becoming more and more popular in the United States, the market price for the prized herb has responded accordingly. As wild ginseng becomes harder to find due to irresponsible harvesting and poaching, growing American ginseng at home provides a practical solution to the problem. With the proper care you should be able to harvest your homegrown American ginseng in two to three years. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- American ginseng seedlings
- Shovel
- Spade
- Aged manure
- Peat moss
- Perlite
- Garden hose or watering can
- Leaf mold compost
Instructions
-
-
1
Select a suitable planting location for your American ginseng based on its growing preferences. Choose a partially shaded location that will provide your ginseng with up to four hours of filtered sunlight each day. Look for a location that also offers rich, well-drained soil.
-
2
Enrich the soil at your chosen planting location with aged manure, peat moss and perlite to add a nutrient boost and aerate the soil before planting your American ginseng. Till the amendments into the top 10 inches of soil at your selected planting location.
-
-
3
Plant your American ginseng seedlings in planting holes that are large enough to accommodate their roots. Plant the seedlings at the same level they were planted in their nursery containers to prevent your ginseng from rotting. Space seedlings 8 inches apart when planting multiple seedlings.
-
4
Water your American ginseng seedlings after planting to help them adjust to their new location. Continue to water it as often as is necessary to keep its soil moist to the touch.
-
5
Spread 2 inches of leaf mold compost around your American ginseng plants to help them conserve moisture.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Wait two to three years for your American ginseng to mature before harvesting it.
Do not allow standing water to pool at the base of your ginseng plants or their roots may rot.
Monitor your American ginseng for signs of fungal disease and treat with a fungicide product, if necessary.
