Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) packet of 20 seeds, Organic (available in the USA only)
$9.95
Family: Crowfoot (Ranunculaceae)
Hardy to Zones 4 to 8
Native to the Eastern hardwood forests, this plant adapts beautifully to the shade garden or may be seeded into the woodlands. One might wonder about the functionality of planting a relatively rare and slow-growing medicinal herb from seed, when potted plants or live rootstock would appear to be a faster way to having the herb in your garden. Well, it turns out that growing the plant in place from seed can be a better choice. The plant gains a sense of place and there is no transplant shock. All the plant can do is get bigger, which is not always the case with setting roots into the garden–sometimes they actually shrink over time. Goldenseal prefers a protected spot with deep, moist, slightly acidic loam soil and dappled shade. Traditional usage: TWM, bitter, astringent and antibacterial, MRSA, wounds, oral infections, conjunctivitis, digestive bitter. We generally begin shipping fresh goldenseal seeds in June and continue until the seeds run out. Sow seeds in moist forest soil in a flat in the shadehouse immediately upon receipt. Another option is to go into the shade garden or forest, lift back the mulch and barely cover the seeds in the mineral soil, tamp securely, then replace the mulch back on top of the seeding. Germination is in the spring. Space plants 1 foot apart.
Packet of 20 seeds, Certified Organically Grown
[AVAILABLE IN THE USA ONLY, NO INTERNATIONAL SALES]
Out of stock
Ian moore (verified owner) –
Wonderful plant. I have one plant I bought and 2 that grew from seed. The one plant I bought has the same size big leaf when I bought it last year. Is this normal? Should I transplant into bigger pot or ground? Nervous about gophers and I know they are sensitive transplanting. Thanks
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Richo Cech –
Hello Ian,
Growing goldenseal from seed gives you a good feel for how slowly the plant develops and allows you to develop a longstanding relationship with it. A year is nothing to a goldenseal–they won’t change that much in a year–it can take 7 years to get a full-sized, fruiting plant. Sometimes faster, sometimes. . . slower. Transplant is in the fall after the green parts senesce. Yes, a larger pot and more compost will be appreciated, richo
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Florida Urban Gardener –
Is is realistic to consider an attempt to grow goldenseal in Florida, West Central, zone 9? Perhaps in a well shaded area, or in pots on a covered patio?
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Richo Cech –
hi! The reports I get are that the plant doesn’t work there because it doesn’t get the requisite cold winter chill period. You might try xanthorhiza simplicissima (yellow root) as a good substitute that’s heat hardy in z 9. richo
you
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Rebecca –
Are these seeds able to be shipped to Canada? Thanks
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Richo Cech –
hi rebecca, regrettably, no, they are CITES listed. richo
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Scottsflower (verified owner) –
Can I plant these seeds in the woods as soon as I get them, even if it’s still summer here in TN?
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Richo Cech –
Hi Scotts, Yup, they’re ranuncs, they need a warm/cold/warm cycle to germ and don’t withstand dry storage. If you refrigerate them immediately it causes them to go double dormant. Keep track of your planting location! Richo
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Scottsflower (verified owner) –
Thank you! We used flag markers when we plant in the woods. I’m thinking about planting these closer to our yurt and less Into the valley so I can have a better eyes on them. The soil and shade is absolutely perfect in the area I’m thinking about. I’m glad that I can get them into the ground right away
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Sheila Culver –
Hi Richo,
1) I have a lot of pins there but will it grow under the pine forest here ? However about under the black walnut trees ? Will it grow there ?
2) I am purchasing the Russian Comfrey now for September delivery. But the Goldenseal seed is not going to germinate until spring. Should I wait and order later ?
Thanks,
Sheila
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Richo Cech –
Hi Sheila, Thanks for staying in touch. Goldenseal seeds will be available for only another few days before they sell out, so that is the ruling factor, besides the requirement for warm/cold/warm germ cycle. If you plant the seeds in a gallon pot you can grow them on that way for 2 years before transplanting to habitat in the fall. perhaps by then you’ll have access to broadleaf hardwood tree shade. that is better than pine, and i’m not so sure about walnut–walnut only in a mixed stand would be best. juglone you know… richo
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Sheila Culver –
Thanks Rocho.
I want to grow it for my nose rinse. I have your book Making Plant medicine and it states that I have to use root tincture. But if I dig the root out in the fall, how soon can I do so if I buy your roots( but they are out of order too.. when will it be back ?). Can the plant survive if I dig the root out in the fall ? Can I use stem/leaf to substitute the roots ?
Also looking for your new book Planting Medicinal plant coming out soon !!
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Richo Cech –
hi sheila,
you can use the root tincture. we will list goldenseal live roots starting in september for fall and early winter delivery, it is true that you could get 6 of them and make your own tincture with them, so you would have something to use relatively soon. i would think 6 roots would be a minimum mass for being able to tincture. or grow them on for a few years and let them bulk up and then you’d have more. r
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Sheila Culver –
Hi, Rocho, I want to purchase the roots for planting. I could just buy the root inure somewhere else ? do you sell tincture or the herb ready to use ? My question is once I plant them, if I dig them out later, could I still replant that plant ?
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Richo Cech –
hi sheila, yes, probably. i usually recommend Herb Pharm and I think they discontinued goldenseal root tincture. it would be nice to find someone offering the tincture from cultivated roots. i don’t have any recommendations. richo
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Deserai Hiemier –
When will seeds be expected to be back in stock?
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Richo Cech –
Hello Deserai, Thanks for contacting! Right now Goldenseal plants are available and getting the plants would give you a significant head-start. We won’t be listing the seeds until closer to the season. We generally begin shipping fresh goldenseal seeds in June and continue until the seeds run out. Sow seeds in moist forest soil in a flat in the shadehouse immediately upon receipt. Another option is to go into the shade garden or forest, lift back the mulch and barely cover the seeds in the mineral soil, tamp securely, then replace the mulch back on top of the seeding. Germination is in the spring. richo
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Renaud Paradis –
Hydrastis canadensis (which comes from Canada)
Why can’t i, in Canada, Order a plant coming from my country ?
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Richo Cech –
Hello Renaud, Thanks for staying in touch. We’re not responsible for international customs regulations and this plant is also CITES listed. The naming of the plant came prior to an understanding of the distribution of the plant. The gene-centers are in the ohio river valley and the ozark plateau. The distribution does stretch up into southern canada. It is possible that you could obtain some canadian-grown material. You might check with the Canadian company “Richters.”
Richo
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Renaud Paradis –
Hydrastis canadensis (which cônes from Canada)
Why can’t i, in Canada, Order a plant coming from my country ?
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Amy –
Is it possible to order some and not have them packed in coir? ( I am allergic to all things palm tree ) can it be sent to me in moss or damp sand instead?
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Richo Cech –
we’re out of coir right now so it would be packed in peat moss. please leave a note in the “customer comments” field when ordering saying not to use coir, just in case.
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