Ma-huang (Ephedra sinica), packet of 10 seeds

(11 customer reviews)

$6.95

2024 harvest now in stock.

Family: Ephedraceae

Hardy to Zones 3 to 9

Perennial, primitive, dioecious, nearly leafless subshrub. Native to the steppes of north and northwestern China. Rare offering of the main official species. Does well in pots.  Traditional use (TCM): One of the Chinese herbs that releases the exterior.  Dried stem is considered a natural adrenergic stimulant to the central nervous system and a bronchodilator used for treating colds and asthma. The whole herb (as opposed to concentrated tablets), dried and used in small doses, poses no threat to the health. However, the very young, the very old, and the pregnant mother would best avoid use. Cultivation:  Ma-huang prefers full sun and dryish, sandy soils. Soak seeds for 2 days in willow tip tea or plain pure water in the fridge before planting.  Floaters germinate.  The seed germinates best in a warm medium. Strew the soaked seed on surface of very sandy potting soil (50% sand or pure coarse, sharp sand such as builder’s sand, not beach sand) and cover 1 inch deep with more sand or sandy mix.  That means, plant the seed 1 inch deep.  Planting deeply increases germ rate and gives the seedling a stronger foundation against flopping over; also provides resistance to damping off.  Tamp securely and keep evenly moist until germination, which in the greenhouse or under propagation lights takes 10 to 30 days.  Recent trials showed a 16 day induction period in a warm greenhouse without supplemental heat.  Water when the surface becomes dry–usually once daily.  We strongly suggest planting in pots or deep flats instead of trying to plant directly in the garden.  More control and a warmer root zone can improve success rate.   Once they germinate, seedlings can easily damp off–this is a dryland plant–so reduce the watering–water only once every 3 days or so.  Development is slow at first.  Work the seedlings up in 4-inch pots until they reach at least  4 inches tall.  If one of the stems becomes super leggy (6 inches or more), it is best to cut it back to about 3 inches, to encourage more stems to form.   Once the plant is sufficiently robust,  transplant to a gallon pot or plant outdoors.  Always provide a deep, fast-draining mulch of sand or pumice around the plants.  Do not use compost or fertilizer.  We grow ma-huang in a sand mulch, about 4 inches thick, in the full sun, with moderate watering. Space plants 1 to 2 feet apart.  They create, in 2 or 3 years, a stubby, woody trunk bristling with the jointed stems. The male plants make male flowers prior to the formation of female fruits on the female plants.  Female fruits are fleshy scales (looking like fleshy berries) adhered together at the end of the branch, colored orange-red, gooey and mucilaginous.  Very sweet to the taste, they contain the paired seeds with their flattened sides lightly clasped together. Seed harvest is in the summer.  Cut back plants in October to a rounded form about 8 inches tall.  Space plants 2 feet apart.

10 seeds/pkt., Open Pollinated, Untreated, NO GMO’s

Please note: No replacements or refunds on Ma-huang seeds.  We sell only from the recent crop, have had good results with our seeds and many gardeners also report excellent results.  However, given the need for exacting germination environment and the rarity of this item, we give no guarantees and will not replace or refund the order. Your order confirms agreement with these terms and conditions.

For more information on germinating and growing Ephedra sinica from seeds, please read “Growing Plant Medicine Vol 1.”

In stock

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4.91 out of 5 stars

11 reviews

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10 reviews with a 5-star rating

  1. 4 out of 4 people found this helpful
    still.sunny.2.0

    Hard to say…but I’m still here;)

    still.sunny.2.0

    I don’t wish anyone to misconstrue my review as medical advice of any sort, – as it isn’t. I had grown, and processed (extracted) some herbs, including E. Sinica,, in my previous home. I rarely become ill, and don’t frequent MDs, in general, but I came down with something in 2022, which I seemed unable to knock out, & at one point wasn’t sure I’d survive, I couldn’t get enough air. Maybe Covid, maybe no. Wouldn’t know, didn’t go to hospital, didn’t plan on being intubated. (Also didn’t wish my son finding me deceased, in my recliner, where I slept, at that time, simply to breathe.) The E. Sinica extract was one of several I used during that time, and I’m grateful to be here. I will say that, IMO, that extract was effective, and I’m really glad I had some on hand, at that time, as well as a few others, because you can’t exactly help yourself, once you are already I’ll. So, I thank Horizon Herbs, (now “Strictly Medicinal Seeds”) for choosing to grow out and offer the seed, for those, and other plants, through the years. With much appreciation, S. Williams

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  2. Angela Kerchner

    Great germination rate

    Angela Kerchner (verified owner)

    I planted ten seeds in cactus medium and watered daily. I placed the pot in a sunny southern window. I ended up with seven healthy seedlings that are all now in their own 4” pots. These were easier to get started than others I have tried. I’m looking forward to adding these to my medicine wheel garden once they are big enough. Thank you!

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  3. Daniel

    Ships to canada

    Daniel (verified owner)

    I thought the Canadian border would incinerate the seeds with the rules in our country. I tracked the package, which was held at the border for about two weeks, but it eventually arrived with everything in it. Took about 1-2 months in total. However, the seller shipped it out within a week of placing the order.

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  4. Robert

    Germinated in less than a week.

    Robert (verified owner)

    Shipped out fast and germinated fast. They even popped out of the dirt bigger than another company I got successful germination from in the past. No complaints here, I’ll be ordering from your company more often.

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  5. Dorky_Mom

    Good looking seed (cones)

    Dorky_Mom (verified owner)

    Although I have not started yet, I have now bought this or similar ephedra from multiple vendors and these seem to be of excellent quality. I personally would harvest Viridis and nevadensis so I am familiar with what good and bad cones look like. Very happy with purchase

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  6. Jason Brunner

    Fresh seeds

    Jason Brunner (verified owner)

    Hi , I just got some seeds today after an email notification. I am wondering how old they are and what should I do with them. Do they need to be stratified? Can i put them in a pot outside and they will come up next spring? thank you

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  7. One person found this helpful
    Sadja Ortega

    Great seeds.

    Sadja Ortega (verified owner)

    I followed your directions exactly as written and got 7 out of 10 seeds to germinate! The seeds took 3 months to germinate. Great seeds, made great plants. I have really enjoyed watching them grow and am excited for the fruits.
    I read from people’s comments that they are having issues with different potting soils. Here is my recipe: 50% river sand, 25% coco coir (rinsed), a couple handfuls of woody compost and 25% perlite.
    I have been wanting to grow this for a long time, thank you for these seeds!

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  8. One person found this helpful
    Cathy

    Ephedra plants

    Cathy (verified owner)

    I am so excited. I have 3 baby plants!!! Two came up , and I thought maybe that was all I was getting ( I planted 5) but the third one popped up almost a month later. I am giving the most of sun through a window. It’s cold here now, bit they are warm inside.

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  9. SD

    Hard to grow

    SD

    This is the 3rd time trying to grow this shrub. I have 10 5″ tall plants this season.

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  10. One person found this helpful
    nrc3neal

    Reliable, fun & educational

    nrc3neal

    This current batch, 4 of 5 seeds germinated in 8 days, and are now starting to grow a 3rd a 4th leaf by 3 weeks time. Of the ones that do eventually germinate, like 70% germ in 8-10 days, and the rest trickle in for weeks. I think Richo’s description might say something to that effect? I’ve done the wrong thing, situating them on the wet side of the greenhouse. While Ive not had mass dampoff, the Ephedras stunt and turn yellow for me when irrigated. I dessicate the hell outta those and they bounce back. In the wet tropics (windward Hawaii) I plant them in cinders with a bit of compost, but I need to keep them covered during 4″-per-hour rains! Ive rarely gotten fruits since I tend to eat my plants down faster than they grow! Ive been growing Strictly’s Ephedra seeds (various taxa) for myself and for clients, for at least a decade and I find them to be reliable (contrasted with other vendors’ E. seeds which are normally duds, perhaps not fresh). Fascinating gymnosperm “succulent” shrubs from an intersting time in plant evolution.
    Somebody stop me…

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