How to Grow and Care for Ginseng

Ginseng is a plant notable for its healing properties and has long been associated with some of the world's most ancient healing traditions. There are two varieties of ginseng that are the most commonly used: Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng), which is native to Manchuria and Korea, and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), which grows throughout the United States and parts of Canada. Both are used in traditional medicine, but the bulk of the crop is dried and exported to Hong Kong, where it is processed into a spice used throughout Southeast Asia.

How to Plant Ginseng

Due to its value in the world marketplace, there are strict laws in the United States about harvesting ginseng where it grows in the wild. Because of this, native ginseng is now fairly rare to encounter in the wild, but it can be successfully cultivated in a woodland setting with the right care and adherence to guidelines.

When to Plant

Growing ginseng at home—whether in the ground or in containers—will take a great deal of patience, primarily due to the fact that the plant should not be harvested before the plants are at least three years old. Ginseng seeds in fall to early winter—you'll want to acquire stratified seeds that have already shed their outer layer, which will speed up their germination process drastically.

Selecting a Planting Site

Because ginseng is happier to grow naturally, as opposed to cultivation, it's important to learn how it mimics its native habitat and conditions if you want to grow it successfully. You'll want to select a shady, low-traffic area—preferably one at the forest's edge, if possible. The soil should be rich, well-draining, and full of organic matter, with an acidic pH level.

Spacing, Depth, and Support

Ginseng plants should be sowed about 1 inch deep into rich soil and spaced about 15–20 inches apart. While planting, remove anything in the surrounding area that may impede the root growth of the ginseng, such as large tree stumps or rocks.

Ginseng Plant Care

Light

Ginseng grows best in partial to full shade, under a woodland canopy. Too much sunlight can increase competition from other plants. For this reason, longer-lived tree species (such as sugar maple, black walnut, and tulip poplar) that have fuller leaf canopies make for better ginseng habitat than short-lived species. A forest or woodland site with seventy-five percent shade is recommended.

Soil

Ginseng grows best in soil that is moist and well-drained, with plenty of organic matter and calcium (the trees mentioned above release calcium into the soil). The site should not be too wet, so flat sites that have a history of flooding are not suitable. Leaf litter is a good natural mulch and nutrient for ginseng so choose to plant where leaf litter is plentiful. Ginseng will not grow in heavy compacted or clay soil.

Water

Ginseng likes moist soil and its preference for shady sites means it receives adequate moisture from its surroundings. It's important when planting to choose a spot that mimics ginseng's preferred native locations. Adding a bit of peat moss and leaf litter compost can help create good drainage and moisture retention. Ginseng will not usually require extra watering except in drought conditions.

Temperature and Humidity

Ginseng doesn't like hot temperatures and should not be grown in zones higher than 7. Humidity in woodland settings remains fairly consistent, and ginseng should not be planted in sites that stay too damp or that are subject to standing water or flooding in the rainy season.

Fertilizer

If you choose a site with good rich soil, fertilizer should not be necessary for ginseng plants, and may in fact overburden them and affect their healthy growth.

How to Grow Ginseng at Home: Guide to Planting Ginseng

Ginseng roots are mainly cultivated as a medicinal plant, used by many disparate traditional medicine methodologies as a curative for a variety of ailments.

What Is Ginseng?

Ginseng is an herbaceous perennial root of plants in the Panax family, which part of the ivy family. Ginseng is used widely in traditional medicine, specifically traditional Chinese medicine, and Native American traditional medicine. When mature, ginseng plants produce red berries, but the plant cultivated for its roots. It is either grown as wild ginseng, in which it occurs organically in its natural habitat, or as cultivated ginseng. Ginseng in the wild is endangered because the method of harvesting involves digging up its roots, which is why harvesting wild ginseng is highly regulated in the US and is illegal in some states. You can cultivate and harvest your own ginseng at home, however.

3 Common Types of Ginseng

There are three main types that are most commonly consumed by human beings. The most popular types of ginseng are:

1. 1. Panax ginseng: Panax ginseng, also known as Korean ginseng or Chinese ginseng, also known as Asian ginseng grows mostly in the mountainous regions of East Asian countries.
2. 2. Panax quinquefolius: American ginseng is native to North America, specifically southeastern Canada and the central United States. The roots and leaves of this plant are used in Native American medicine.
3. 3. Panax japonicus: Japanese ginseng is another type of ginseng found in China and Japan, and has been used as a healing vitamin for over 2000 years.

When to Plant Ginseng

Ginseng seeds should be planted in the fall or early winter regardless of whether you’re container-growing or growing your seeds in a garden. Give your ginseng plant 80 percent shade, as ginseng is friendly to cool temperatures. Ginseng grows best in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 7.

How to Grow Ginseng

The easiest and least risky method for growing ginseng is to simulate wild conditions in your own yard. Before you grow your own ginseng at home, research your state and local ordinances to confirm that you can legally harvest and grow ginseng in your area. Once you have confirmed that you can legally grow ginseng in your area, here is how to grow your own ginseng.

1. 1. Choose your seeds. The simplest and least time-consuming way for beginner ginseng growers to plant ginseng is to obtain stratified seeds from a local grower. This means that your seeds have shed their tough outer layers. While these seeds are slightly more expensive than un-stratified seeds, it speeds up the germination process significantly.
2. 2. Choose and prepare your planting site. Your growing area should contain rich, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. Choose a low-traffic area that gets partial shade (or that you can provide with artificial shade). Remove any large rocks or debris that can obstruct your ginseng’s growth. You can also plant ginseng in eight-inch plastic pots.
3. 3. Plant your ginseng. Sow your ginseng seeds about one inch below the soil surface, spacing your seeds between 14 and 20 inches apart to encourage air circulation and reduce the chance of disease problems.
4. 4. Be patient. Ginseng seeds can take up to 18 months to germinate, while ginseng plants can take around three to five years to mature. Wait the appropriate amount of time before you even think of harvesting the ginseng plant’s roots. As it’s growing, check regularly for pests or fungus.

How to Care for Ginseng

Ginseng plants are relatively low-maintenance, in spite of their long growing times. Here is an overview of how to care for your ginseng plant.

1. 1. Water your ginseng. Ginseng prefers a cool, damp atmosphere. Water regularly to keep your soil moist, adding extra water during drier conditions. Make sure not to over-water your plant in order to prevent root rot.
2. 2. Prune the planting site. Prune away any branches or stems from nearby plants that encroach on your ginseng’s planting site to avoid overcrowding.
3. 3. Keep it out of direct sunlight. Ginseng should stay in partial to well-shaded areas. If you’re planting your ginseng in a pot outside, make sure to move it to a place in the shade.
4. 4. Mulch. Use leaf litter or organic matter to keep your soil moist if you’re planting your ginseng in a pot, or outside.
5. 5. Check for pests and disease. Wilted leaves can either be a sign of disease or animal damage. Dig up a wilted plant and check its roots for bite marks or gnawing sites. Set up barriers or traps to deter rodents and other pests from damaging your ginseng site. Ginseng is also susceptible to leaf blight, which can be treated with a careful application of organic fungicide.
6. 6. Beware of poaching. Since growing ginseng is an incredibly long process, mature plants are often susceptible to theft or poaching. Some cultivators will remove all the aerial portions of their ginseng plant in order to hide their planting sites.

How to Harvest Ginseng

Harvesting ginger is a delicate process and should be done with great care to avoid damaging the roots.

1. 1. Loosen the soil. Loosen the soil around your ginseng plant and gently pull it up from the ground, carefully removing excess dirt from the roots. You can either collect the ripened berries from the plant, or plant them where you removed the root to grow more ginseng.
2. 2. Wash the ginseng. Run the ginseng root under cool water and gently rub away the soil, taking care not to tear or break the roots.
3. 3. Dry your ginseng. Air dry on a rack in a warm environment and out of direct sunlight for at least two weeks until the inside of the ginger roots turn white.