Ginseng, American (Panax quinquefolius) seeds [INTL NO]
$20.10 – $168.00
Please note: Now accepting orders for stratified American Ginseng seeds. Delivery starts September 16th, 2024–the ideal window for planting to your shade garden or woodlands.
Family: Ginseng (Araliaceae)
Hardy to Zones 4 to 8
Herbaceous perennial forest dweller native to Eastern North America. Traditional usage (TWM, Native American): stomach upset, lack of energy. A classic adaptogen. Cultivation: The best advice is simple advice. Find a shady area on your land (forest or shade garden) where there is good drainage, scrape the leaf mulch away, plant the seeds singly 6 inches apart and 1 inch deep, and cover back up with leaf mulch. This should be done with this STRATIFIED SEED that we offer, from August through December. The seed we offer has been stratified for an entire year. You plant this seed in the fall and it will come up in the spring, pretty much without fail. We highly recommend this seed and encourage you to purchase it in good time and plant as soon as possible after receipt. More questions? E-mail us or read the “ginseng” chapter in our book “growing at-risk.”
Open Pollinated 10 g packet of seeds (Fresh, undried, stratified seed delivered moist. Sow immediately upon receipt.)
There are about 120 seeds in a 10 g packet.
100g contains appx. 1200 seeds.
Note: Ginseng seed not available internationally, due to CITES regulations.
Ian Moore (verified owner) –
Is it too late to plant this if I order now? I live in 9b. I was disappointed that slugs ate all mine last year and didn’t order them in time at fall. Thanks
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
Hello Ian, Thanks for staying in touch. Slugs are such a pain. There’s a narrow window for planting stratified ginseng seeds–basically Sep to Nov. We won’t be enabling sales on these again until the new crop is in, Sep 2024. Richo
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
Hello Ian, Thanks for staying in touch. Slugs are such a pain. There’s a narrow window for planting stratified ginseng seeds–basically Sep to Nov. We won’t be enabling sales on these again until the new crop is in, Sep 2024. Richo
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Question
normasceales (verified owner) –
At 120 seeds in 10g packet and singly planted how many would it come up? How big does each one get? What other plants nearby could I plant it with?
Thanks
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Question
Van –
Hi, I live in zone 10a in socal. Can I grow it in a big container under my huge orange tree? What is the watering requirement in my area which is Mediterranean like weather?
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
Hi VAn, I immediately started trying to think of other herbs that would grow better there and do the same thing. the closest i got was yerba mansa which isn’t very close. Maybe Mexican Elderberry? Richo
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
goldenapothecary (verified owner) –
This amazing seed got lost in the packets of seeds I was planting last fall, and is now a year old. I’m guessing that it’s unusable?
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
hi golden, yes, dried out by now. it would be fine, if you’re making another order, to request a free packet of ginseng, we are reasonably well stocked. richo
Upvote if this was helpful (3) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Question
alishafulton2 (verified owner) –
What do we do with ginseng seeds we don’t have room to plant this year after opening the packet?
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
Hi Alisha, They can’t be stored for an extended period but will last another week or two if kept moist and refrigerated. Maybe gift them to somebody who can plant them, or plant them directly in the shade garden or forest. People have been removing ginseng plants from the woods for hundreds of years, it is nice when someone reverses the trend. r
Upvote if this was helpful (5) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
alishafulton2 (verified owner) –
One more question. Can I plant them in a 20 gallon grow bag then transplant them later?
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
surely, if the grow bag is in a nice shady location. make sure to read the label on the seed packet, it is your guide. r
Upvote if this was helpful (1) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Angela –
I’m in zone 5. Would I have more successful germination if I waited until next year to order?
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
hello angela, ginseng does fine in a zone 5. It should be planted from now until when your soil freezes hard. It is not planted in the spring, it is planted in the fall. richo
Upvote if this was helpful (1) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Question
Susan (verified owner) –
Is ginseng juglone-tolerant? I have some black walnut trees on my higher ground, wondering if I should avoid planting near them. Thanks!
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
Hi susan, the ginseng does best under sugar maple, not walnut. richo
Upvote if this was helpful (2) Downvote if this was not helpful (3) Flag for removal
Mark (verified owner) –
Just got my seeds! Yay! I have a slope with a good amount of rhododendron. Would ginseng fair well on such a slope? Thanks
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
Hi Mark, Ginseng likes to grow on slopes, it really does not like wet feet. Look for the deep soil that is well covered with decomposed forest mulch, pull the mulch to the side, plant the seeds an inch deep in the soil and put the mulch back over. For more on Ginseng, see my book “Growing At-Risk,” that has a whole chapter on ‘seng. richo
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Susan Bryg –
Do deer like to eat ginseng? I have the perfect place for the seeds, but we have an overpopulation of deer.
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
Hi Susan,
Thanks for writing. Deer don’t seek it out but if there is an overpopulation of deer and an underpopulation of forage they will eat almost anything. So much ginseng grows and is grown in deer country that I haven’t ever really given it a thought, except to make sure to plant these tender and delicate plants out of the direct path of. . . hoof. richo
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Larry –
I am new to this, so do the greens turn to allow harvesting of tuber like roots for medicinal purposes?
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
Hi Larry,
Thanks for your note. Ginseng is a forest-dependent herbaceous perennial. Its going to make aerial parts in the warm season and senesce down to a root in the cold season. After several years the plant will develop a fleshy taproot which is the part used. You can find a lot of helpful information on ginseng in our book “growing at-risk.” Richo
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Question
Heather –
I live in Zone 6a-6b. We live in the fringe foothills of Appalachia so we are in micro zone pockets. I have read that it is good to plant ginseng on a slope. Is this true? We live on land that dips into a lush rainforest like (by the creek and waterfall). Would you recommend sowing these seeds as we slope into the valley? Would they be better topside where we have more traditional woodland? Should I look for pockets of light through the forest trees? Also we do have wild boar, do they like to eat the berries and leaves? I desire to have a forest garden and plan to plant along many of our hand cut trails and want to do this the right way.
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
hello heather, it is best to plant the ginseng seeds on a slope. they do best in sun-dappled shade. 70% shade is best. We give a generous number of seeds and the planting instructions are right on the packet. Scattered plantings work best to make sure some of the seeds are optimally placed and to instill resistance to foragers. wild turkeys eat the berries. i suppose boar could dig up some of the roots, but this is not widely reported. Our new book “growing plant medicine” has reams of info on all this. richo
Upvote if this was helpful (2) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Jennifer P (verified owner) –
Sowed seeds and just waited. Am in Zone 4b and it took til May but they popped.
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Stephane –
Can you sale ginseng seed in canada
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
hello stephane, ginseng is CITES regulated and fresh (undried). We cannot send it to Canada. richo
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Question
Amanda –
I have walnut and shagbark hickory stands on my property. Will ginseng tolerate the juglone from them? I also have a mature maple stand in an area that gets a vernal pond. I’m in far northwest NJ zone 5/6.
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
hi amanda, you’re in a good zone for ginseng. the plant does not tolerate wet feet at any point in its growing cycle. the plant is native to a mixed hardwood forest and not particularly subject to juglone poisoning. the best overstory is sugar maple and even white pine can work. richo
Upvote if this was helpful (2) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Judith –
Hi Ricoh – Thanks for the White Pine tip. Your seeds are of such high quality that everything has sprouted for me and I started running out of room, but knowing that I can plant under white pine opens up a whole new area in my yard for planting ginseng. Such a beautiful little plant! Thank you!
Upvote if this was helpful (1) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
hey judith, our pleasure. its a 2-way street, good seeds need a good grower to make them happen. r
Upvote if this was helpful (9) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Question
Mary Baskar –
How do you grow your ginseng? Thank you.
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
we grow our ginseng in a wooded setting.
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
David Abbot (verified owner) –
My ginseng did well in the shade of a maple tree in my backyard, in Everett, WA, which is on Puget Sound. For soil I used regular garden soil, with some half-composted maple leaves from my maple tree. My yard has been fertilizer-free, insecticide-free, and herbicide-free for 30 years. I added enough sharp sand so the soil drains well enough so it doesn’t get soggy and swampy, but the half-rotted maple leaves help the soil to hold enough moisture to keep the ginseng roots moist. When the soil gets dry, I water it, which is every day when it’s over 80˚F and sunny. The maple tree gives the ginseng some shade but not enough, so I bought cedar lath sections from a hardware store, and added about 50% more lath pieces to the sections so each ginseng plant only gets direct sun about 20% of the time. I tilted the planting bed so that when it rains heavily, a lot of the water just runs off the top of the soil rather than soaking in and swamping the ginseng roots. When I water the ginseng I do not use tap water, I use filtered water so the plants aren’t exposed to the chlorine and fluoride in the city water. Out of about 120 seeds, I got 68 sprouts, and we have eaten all but ten of the biggest ones, which we’re saving so they’ll make seeds. I figure the biggest plants are the ones most suited to our particular micro-climate, so their seeds will be best for our garden. I think this year a higher percentage will sprout, because I’m getting a better feeling for what the plant likes and doesn’t like. One thing I know it didn’t like this last summer, was the neighbor’s blindingly bright LED back yard light on a high pole, which lights up everyone’s back yard on the entire block, because when I put a shade up so the ginseng gets darkness at night, the ginseng started doing better. This year I’ll block that light from my new, larger ginseng bed starting in February. That’s my experience. You can also talk with your local county extension office and Master Gardener’s office. I don’t take advice from Internet forums because there’s so many unsubstantiated myths, legends, rumors, and so on. I only take advice from successful ginseng gardeners, and from people who have agriculture or related degrees. Some of them are quite generous with accurate advice, while others are very busy and don’t have the time, or want to be paid very high fees to answer questions. I’ve grown ginseng for a few years, so I am not an expert, but if you contact me I will answer if I know the answers. dastories@icloud.com
Upvote if this was helpful (1) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
David Abbot (verified owner) –
Oh, and one of the best reasons for not using any type of chemicals on your ginseng is that you can eat the leaves, which taste every bit as delicious as the roots, and I eat the stems, too. My information says the reason no big ginseng farmers sell ginseng leaves along with the roots, is that they plant the ginseng so close together that it can’t get the air flow it needs and so there are fungi problems that can only be solved by using toxic chemical fungicides as often as every week. So the leaves aren’t safe to eat. And I don’t think the roots are that good either, on commercially-grown ginseng, to be honest- just my opinion. A big naturopathic university’s herbal dispensary says that the ginseng they sell is organic, but unlike Richo, they refuse to put anything in writing, and someone I know and trust who works there says their ginseng isn’t organic. At 71 years of age, I really benefit from using ginseng every day or so, but I need to trust that it’s organic.
Upvote if this was helpful (6) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
Hi David, You’re making a good point about spacing of Ginseng. Organic ginseng growers space their plants widely enough apart so that the leaves never touch the leaves of another plant, and this limits fungal issues. Like you said, good air flow is critical. I think the use of straw instead of forest duff is another reason for alternaria issues that lead to antifungal applications. To recap: wide spacing and forest-derived mulch can result in healthy, organic ginseng.
Richo
Upvote if this was helpful (7) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Judith (verified owner) –
Hi Richo!
I have a question for you. I gave some of my ginseng seeds to a friend. She lives in a wooded area – lots of Maple trees.
She can’t exactly remember where she planted the seeds and was wondering if the plant pictured in the photo is ginseng.
Thanks for you help.
Judith
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
Hi Judith, I don’t see a phot except for my photos of the plant. The one thing about ginseng is its pretty easy to miss until it makes that head of red berries. Once that happens then you’ll know it. Richo
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Judith (verified owner) –
My ginseng plants are popping and look perfectly beautiful! Thank you Richo. Hope to get more this fall.
Very exciting!
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
Good going, you followed the cycles! r
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Question
Monica Petersen –
Would it be acceptable to order now (April) for planting on the Northeast Coast?
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
Hi Monica, We don’t enable sales on ginseng seed until September. Hit waitlist and we’ll e-mail you. There will be enough for everybody. Richo
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Angela Christensen –
What is the harvest time comparison on planting seeds vs. roots?
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
Hi Angela, Both seeds and roots are planted in the fall. Depending on how old the root is, you can subtract that age from 5, which is the normal year for harvest of a mature plant. richo
Upvote if this was helpful (1) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Matthew Thomas –
Hi I ordered the 10g pack around 6/22/21, and have not heard anything regarding their shipment. Just curious if this is due to the September sales enabling mentioned above. Thanks!
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
Hi Matthew, Sales were enabled in June and delivery begins starting August 23rd, 2021. We are timing delivery to the best time to plant the primed seed. I am glad you’re on it, plant it when it arrives! Richo
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
J. Pierce (verified owner) –
Hi Richo, I just noticed that you say to space six inches on this page but the packet said to plant two inches apart and then thin to six inches apart?
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
Spacing really does depend on the context–where you’re planting, and what the survival rate of seedlings is apt to be. I personally plant them at 2 inches apart and thin to 6 inches apart, minimum. r
Upvote if this was helpful (1) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Question
Connie Evans –
Will American ginseng be available this year, 2021?
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
yes, we always have the seeds available in season, starting in September. r
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Cheryl Carufel –
Do you have the plants?
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
hi cheryl, no, we don’t do ginseng plants because ginseng does best when direct-seeded to habitat. r
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
David Abbot –
The day I got the seeds you sent me last fall, I planted them in planters in the shade of a maple tree in my back yard here in Everett, Washington. For soil I mixed half-rotted maple leaves with regular garden soil (not compost type soil, because ginseng doesn’t like compost). A few months ago they sprung up. I have about 45 ginseng plants, right now (June 8, 2021) they vary between about 1.5 inches tall, and 4 inches tall. I put the big planter on 36 inch long legs, so the crawling insects can’t get them as easily. I have already eaten a few of the ginseng sprouts (I read that in Korea many people eat ginseng sprouts), and the taste is amazing, a much more complex, delightful flavor profile than any ginseng I have eaten in the last forty years. Which makes sense when you consider that almost all of the ginseng available for sale has been sprayed with so much chemical fungicide and other chemicals that it’s not safe to eat the leaves! Because your seeds and my growing method are both organic, I eat the leaves, stems, and roots. The leaves taste even better than the roots, in my opinion- a much stronger taste. I’m 70 years old and my wife is 76, and we both need more energy, which ginseng delivers. I’ll be ordering more seeds this fall, because I’m turning my entire garden over to ginseng plants. I can get reasonably good quality organic vegetables at my local co-op, but even poor quality ginseng is very expensive to buy, so this makes good financial sense.
Upvote if this was helpful (8) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
anna@thenakedbotanical –
Is it okay to buy now with snow on the ground. (December) Can I move them from a raised bed that is shelter to the woodland after one year?
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
Hello Anna,
Better to buy in the late summer and plant right away. They do better that way. I think they need to stay in the nursery bed for 2 years before transplant. Transplant is best done in the autumn. Richo
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
John Jones –
Hi,
Is the seed stock for this year fully depleted? As I live in the heart of the Appalachia Mountains and after reading your books I recently got, “Growing At-Risk Medicinal Herbs” in particular made me aware that the 5 acres of woodland I have is prime Ginseng real estate. Love the books, informative, personal,and heart warming thanks so much for the work you do.
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
Hi John, Thanks for reminding me. I updated the last 4 packets to the site tonight, so you can get some if you like. Please hurry. richo
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Judith (verified owner) –
Thanks for the wonderful seeds. I winter-sowed my ginseng seeds here in Michigan and got a BUMPER CROP! And they transplanted well this Spring. I also planted some in the ground and put 1/4” wire mesh over the top to stop the squirrels and chipmunks etc from eating the seeds – that worked quite well too!
Thanks again for GREAT seeds!
Upvote if this was helpful (2) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Diane Mark –
Hi I live in zone 9 in Phoenix AZ is there any chance these could thrive out here?
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
Hi Diane, No, ginseng doesn’t grow well in phoenix, it needs a place with deciduous tree cover, deep forest litter and deep snow in winter. richo
Upvote if this was helpful (1) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Judith (verified owner) –
Hi Richo!
I live in northern lower Michigan. I received my ginseng seeds last week and planted them promptly in my woodland garden. I was amazed to learn that ginseng is native to Michigan. Now I am back to purchase your book. I purchased some goldenseal roots too. Do you have any other recommendations for a woodland garden? Thank you so much for the ginseng seeds. I am very excited and very appreciative!
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
Hi Judith, When Ginseng germinates, it is as you say it–exciting. Any of the herbaceous perennial forest dwellers will work. Goldenseal pairs up nicely with black and blue cohosh, wild yam, ginseng and mayapple. “Growing At-Risk” really does give a great deal of info about these and other native medicinal forest dwellers. Richo
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Question
Gwyn (verified owner) –
Thank you so much for these seeds! I planted them immediately (October) and it rained a lot that night- do I need to water them again? Thank you
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Admin Richo Cech –
Hi Gwyn,
No, they will now be settled in and won’t need watering again until after germination in the spring.
r
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Alaina Wilkins (KY) (verified owner) –
I am grateful to be able to contribute to the conservation of this invaluable plant. I humbly appreciate the care involved with making this seed available.Thank you for all that you do!.
Upvote if this was helpful (1) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Gwyn (verified owner) –
Thank you so much for these seeds- there are so many in the packet! I planted them all under an old sugar maple tree. It is not exactly a prepared bed…I dug and loosened the soil a bit before planting…I hope the soil is deep enough.
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Ann (verified owner) –
I received beautiful looking, stratified seed this fall and planted them shortly after they arrived. I am very excited to report the seedlings have begun to emerge and I couldn’t be more thrilled -thank you for producing such high quality seed – that can be hard to find with certain species!
Upvote if this was helpful (2) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal