How to Grow and Care for Ginseng

How to Plant Ginseng

Although it takes patience to grow, with the proper care, ginseng can be successfully cultivated in a woodland setting.

When to Plant

The time to plant ginseng, whether it’s roots or seeds, is between late summer and early fall just before the leaves fall and before the first frost.

Make sure to only purchase ginseng seeds that have already been stratified for one full winter. These seeds have shed their outer layer and are ready to germinate in the spring after planting.

Selecting a Planting Site

Select a location with about 80% shade. Northern or northeastern-facing slopes are ideal because of the limited sun exposure.

The soil should be rich, well-draining, and full of organic matter, with a slightly acidic pH. Woodland areas with lots of fallen leaves and rich topsoil are best. Locations, where other herbaceous perennials (ferns, wild, Jack-in-the-pulpit, and foamflower) thrive, are perfect for ginseng.

Spacing, Depth, and Support

Before planting, thoroughly clear the planting site, not just from weeds but also from underground obstacles such as tree roots or rocks that might impede the growth of the roots.

Ginseng roots are typically available for purchase as two- or three-year-old rootlets. Dig a hole about 3 inches deep. Place the rootlet in the hole on its side, with the end growth bud pointing or tipping upwards. The bud should be just below the soil surface, covered with 12 inch of soil and leaf litter.

Space rootlets at least 12 inches apart in rows 6 to 12 inches apart.

Plant seeds ½ inch deep, spaced 3 to 6 inches apart in rows 6 to 9 inches apart. To make up for a low germination rate, it is recommended to plant the seeds rather densely.

Cover the planting area with leaf litter and mark it well.

Ginseng Plant Care

Light

Ginseng needs partial to full shade (75 to 80% shade) under a woodland canopy. Optimal overstory trees are black walnut, sugar maple, and tulip poplars.

Soil

Ginseng grows best in moist and well-drained, slightly acidic soil (pH between 5.0 and 6.5) with plenty of organic matter and leaf litter.

Good drainage is important. Spots that get flooded are unsuitable. Ginseng will not grow in heavy compacted or clay soil.

Water

Ginseng thrives in moist soil. The shady locations where ginseng grows naturally have sufficient moisture so the plant usually does not need extra watering except during dry weather.

Temperature and Humidity

The plant does best in a temperate climate. Hot, either desert-dry or extremely humid summers above USDA hardiness zone 7 are not suitable for growing ginseng.

Fertilizer

If planted in rich, fertile soil with plenty of leaf litter, ginseng does not require fertilizer, on the contrary, applying commercial fertilizer may affect its healthy growth.

Types of Ginseng

The four most commonly grown Panax species around the world are:

• Korean ginseng (P. ginseng) is one of the most commonly cultivated ginseng species. Native to the mountains of East Asia, it is now protected in China and Russia due to over-harvesting in the wild. It is primarily cultivated in Korea. The plant grows up to 24 inches tall. In traditional Chinese medicine, Korean ginseng is considered the hotter version or “yang” side of ginseng.
• American ginseng (P. quinquefolius) is a shorter plant than Korean ginseng, growing up to 18 inches tall. Its root looks like a branched parsnip or parsley root. American ginseng is native to forests of the eastern United States. Because of overharvesting, it is listed as an endangered species. In traditional Chinese medicine, American ginseng is on the “yin” side with more cooling effects.
• Vietnamese ginseng (P. vietnamensis) is a variety highly prized in herbal medicine. It grows up to 3 feet in height. Unlike other ginseng species, the roots have notches.
• Chinese ginseng (P. notoginseng) is native to the mountains in Southwest China. It grows about 4 feet tall.

Harvesting Ginseng

Ginseng is ready to be harvested when its taproot has three or four prongs. Harvesting younger plants prevents them from flowering and producing seeds, which only happens when the plant is at least three to four years old.

Carefully dig up the roots with a shovel or a trowel, taking care not to damage them in the process. To keep your ginseng patch growing, plant stratified ginseng seeds nearby.

Washing and Drying

Wash the roots promptly after the harvest under running cold water. Gently rub (not scrub) them to remove any loose soil. Lay them out on a screen to air dry for a few hours, away from direct sunlight.

To dry the roots, use a dehumidifier, heater, wood stove, fan, or drying room. Maintain a consistent air temperature between 70°F and 100°F with adequate airflow around the roots while drying. Roots take one to two weeks to completely dry with an air temperature of 70°F.

As ginseng roots dry, they will shrink but often remain spongy at least partway through the drying process. A root is ready when a dried root snaps easily into two pieces. The root’s interior should be entirely white inside (it should not have a brown ring inside, which often indicates the presence of mold).

Storing Ginseng

Store fresh ginseng in the refrigerator for two to three weeks.

Dried ginseng (root or powder) should be stored in a dry, dark place in an airtight container, such as a glass jar. It lasts for up to five years

How to Grow Ginseng in Pots

It is possible to grow ginseng in pots outdoors. Use a container at least 15 inches in diameter with large drainage holes. Fill it with well-draining, slightly acidic potting soil.

Keep in mind that potted plants need more frequent watering than plants in garden soil.

If grown outdoors, winterize the pots to protect the roots from the cold by burying them in the ground or placing them inside an insulating silo.

Ginseng is a slow-growing plant so repotting to a larger pot one size up with fresh potting soil is only needed every few years. If it stops growing before it has outgrown its container, repot it in the same pot with fresh potting mix.

Pruning

There is no need to prune ginseng other than removing the dead foliage in the early spring to make room for the new growth.

Propagating Ginseng

Ginseng is propagated from seed or by planting rootlets from a nursery. Follow the instructions for How to Plant Ginseng above.

Overwintering

The ginseng plant goes dormant in the winter. Although it withstands temperatures below minus 40°F, it benefits from root protection. Cover the plant with a mulch—4 inches in northern locations and at least 2 inches in warmer zones.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Ginseng is relatively pest-free, although slugs, deer, and other foraging animals feed on the foliage. It also attracts root-knot nematodes (microscopic worms).

Ginseng is susceptible to fungal diseases such as Alternaria leaf blight, gray mold, anthracnose, and root rot. To prevent root rot, avoid soggy soil, and do
not overwater the plant. Remove infected plants to prevent the spread of these
diseases.

FAQ

• • Ginseng is a tough plant to grow; doing so takes a lot of patience. For this reason, many people choose to get their fresh ginseng from expert growers rather than growing it themselves.

• • Ginseng is generally difficult to grow, so your best bet is to plant it outdoors in its natural environment. Indoors, the plant will struggle to get established.

• • Harvesting American ginseng on most state lands and National Park Service lands is illegal, even if it’s only for your private use.

• • White ginseng is fresh ginseng that is peeled and dried without being heated. Red ginseng is steamed and dried; it has a reddish color. Red ginseng is less vulnerable to decay.