Family: Nightshade (Solanaceae )

Hardy to Zones 6 to 10

(Mandragora officinalis) Herbaceous perennial.  Native to southeastern Europe and the Mediterranean.  Rare. Traditional usage (TWM): fertility, aphrodisiac, a magical totem, relieve pain, promote sleep.  Source of tropane alkaloids–do not ingest.   Plant prefers alkaline pH—deep, sandy soils, dry, in the part-shade.  The plant begins its vegetative cycle in the midwinter, flowers in the spring, fruits, and goes quickly dormant in the summer, then re-sprouts from beneath the callus in fall or spring.  Keep crowns in perfect drainage.  I plant mine in deep sand mulch on the shady side of rocks. Flower color is variable, some plants making vibrant purple flowers, others flowering like washed-out lavender.  Flower to 16 inches, giving way to green, apple-like fruits that eventually turn yellowish and soft before harvest.  The smell is exquisite.  Space plants 1 to 2 feet apart.

Potted plant in a 5-inch deep pot,  certified organically grown

Please note: Mandrakes are rare and finicky.  The plants are dormant more months of the year than they are aerial, and an aerial plant can easily go dormant in shipment. Therefore we guarantee only that you will receive a viable taproot in a pot.  The plant may be up-potted to a gallon or planted to a sunny, well-drained site outdoors.  It helps to mark the planting spot with a large rock to partially shade the plant.  There is more about mandrake culture available in “Growing Plant Medicine” vol. 1 and 2, in Richo’s Blog as well as on our youtube channel Strictly Medicinal Seeds.