Ashwagandha, African Ecotype (Withania somnifera) seeds, organic

$4.95$59.10

Family: Nightshade (Solanaceae)

Hardy to Zones 8 to 12, otherwise grown as a 110 day annual

Perennial, grown as an annual in the temperate north. Attains a height of 3 to 4 feet–taller than the Vedic types.  The roots are redder in color than the Vedic types.  We note that the roots have a more warming and stimulating activity than the Vedic types.   Native to Africa, this is an ecotype with large leaves and very fast growth.   Traditional usage (Dawa za Asili): energy and sexual tonic.  Plant prefers full sun, fast-draining, alkaline (pH 7.5 to 8.0) soil and dryish conditions.  Sweeten regular garden soil with ground limestone.  Light dependent germinator.  Sow in early spring indoors or in the greenhouse.  Average germ time 15 days.  Space 1 foot apart.  Produces eventually the lantern-like pods enclosing the pea-sized fruits, green at first and becoming bright red as the inflated calyx dries and becomes transparent.

Packet contains 50 seeds
1 g contains ~650 seeds
5 g contains ~3,250 seeds
10 g contains ~6,500 seeds

Certified Organically Grown

Share your thoughts!

Let us know what you think...

What others are saying

  1. Question

    Kriste Sutch

    I live in a 6a-6b zone. Will my ashwagandha make it thru winter if I dig it up and bring it in? Or is it better to harvest what root I have and call it a year?

    Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal

    Something wrong with this post? Thanks for letting us know. If you can point us in the right direction...

    • 5 out of 5 people found this helpful
      Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hi Kriste, It is better to dig it up the root and use it–this is grown like an annual in a Zone 6 garden. Hint: wash the root and snip it into small pieces while still fresh, then dry it. richo

      Upvote if this was helpful (5) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal

      Something wrong with this post? Thanks for letting us know. If you can point us in the right direction...

    • 4 out of 4 people found this helpful

      Donna

      Any luck in zone 9?

      Upvote if this was helpful (4) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal

      Something wrong with this post? Thanks for letting us know. If you can point us in the right direction...

    • 3 out of 3 people found this helpful
      Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      hi donna, yes, if you double-click on the photo you’ll get the monograph that gives the zone recommendations: Hardy to Zones 8 to 12, otherwise grown as a 110 day annual
      The good thing about ashwagandha and a zone 9 is that the plant is going to perennialize there. That means you can dig at the end of the growing cycle in the second year and get a lot more root for your effort. richo

      Upvote if this was helpful (3) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal

      Something wrong with this post? Thanks for letting us know. If you can point us in the right direction...

  2. Question

    jeff symonds

    the african ashwaganda is the medicinal part the root and can it be grown as a annual in zone 4.

    Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal

    Something wrong with this post? Thanks for letting us know. If you can point us in the right direction...

    • 2 out of 2 people found this helpful
      Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hi Jeff,
      This is a large and vigorous ecotype I collected originally in Kenya. The local people use the root and young plants are preferred–the roots are less woody that way. You can grow it as an annual. Dig root after first frost. richo

      Upvote if this was helpful (2) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal

      Something wrong with this post? Thanks for letting us know. If you can point us in the right direction...

    • One person found this helpful

      Dana Blanton

      Do you ferment ashwagandha berries to save the seed or just wash them?

      Upvote if this was helpful (1) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal

      Something wrong with this post? Thanks for letting us know. If you can point us in the right direction...

    • One person found this helpful
      Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      good question. I haven’t tried fermentation but it would probably be good. I put the fresh red berries with a little water and blend them in the blender and then flotate. wow, do I get clean seed that way. the blender doesn’t hurt the seeds. r

      Upvote if this was helpful (1) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal

      Something wrong with this post? Thanks for letting us know. If you can point us in the right direction...

    • Rebecca

      Hi. Ive noticed you recommend drying Ashwagandha root before tincturing in your book Making Plant Medicine. What is the reason for not tincturing it fresh? Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge!

      Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal

      Something wrong with this post? Thanks for letting us know. If you can point us in the right direction...

    • 5 out of 5 people found this helpful
      Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hi Rebecca,
      Remember that this is in the Solanacea and contains toxic elements that are ameliorated by the drying process. If you go to India, not only is the root not used fresh, it is cured in cow urine as well as dehydrating, but we’ve been skipping the cow urine part. Dry your ashwagandha before use. Best to GRIND it in the fresh state as it is very hard to grind once dried whole. Richo

      Upvote if this was helpful (5) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal

      Something wrong with this post? Thanks for letting us know. If you can point us in the right direction...

×

Login

Register

A link to set a new password will be sent to your email address.

Continue as a Guest

Don't have an account? Sign Up