Family:  Acanthus (Acanthaceae)

Annual but long-season, fully maturing in 160 days, but can be harvested for the active portion (leaf) well prior to that time.  Often self-seeding in the right conditions (extended warm conditions).

(Kalmegh, Chuan-xin-lian, King of Bitters) Rare in the trade and highly desired plant native to China and India. Traditional usage (Ayurveda): bitter digestive, vermifuge. Prefers full sun and regular garden conditions, and will even thrive in poor soil.  Can be slow to flower, so if seed is desired, start early in greenhouse and transplant out after frost.  Sow seed in spring, just under the surface, tamp securely, keep warm and evenly moist until germination.  Germination of Andrographis is unpredictable.  High temperatures appear to be involved in germination response.  I have had germination in 2 to 3 weeks in greenhouse conditions.  However, seeds started on heat mats do not always work.  I have cared for ungerminated flats from October of one year with germination all at once in May of the following year (a seven-month induction period).  I have often seen seedlings popping up in used potting soil months or years after incorporation of Andrographis seed therein.  Standard cultigens like peas and beans germinate predictably.  Wild plants like “King of Bitters” may defy our efforts to pigeonhole them.  My best advice is to plant the seeds for the plant, not for yourself.  Plant without expectation and do not prematurely discard the flats.  When germination occurs, then rejoice!
Packet contains 100 seeds
1 g contains ~600 seeds
5 g contains ~3,000 seeds
10 g contains ~6,000 seeds
Open pollinated, Untreated, NO GMO’s