We are taking a break from the heat. We will resume shipping plants starting in September. Feel free to pre-order plants for your fall garden. First come, first served.
Mandrake, officinarum (Mandragora officinarum) potted plant, organic
$13.00
Family: Nightshade (Solanaceae )
Hardy to Zones 6 to 10
(Mandragora officinalis) 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.
Potted plant certified organically grown
Out of stock
Question
Destiny (verified owner) –
Hi. I received a potted mandrake in April. Unfortunately it did not travel well and the one remaining leaf died within about a week after receiving. I’m not sure if the root is still alive and dormant or if the entire thing is dead. Is there a way to tell?
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Richo Cech –
Hi Destiny,
That happens frequently. We choose plants that have good leaves and yet they tend to go dormant in shipment. Mandrakes are perennial roots–you can tell its alive if you dig down and find a solid root there–replant the root to an outdoor sand bed or to cactus mix in a pot and it will re-emerge in season. Go to “Richo’s Blog” and read the mandrake blog there–it will help.
Richo
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Question
Lana von Funk –
I live in South Florida
No winter cycle here
Zone 9/10
Under the circumstances
Direct sunlight? Indirect? Shade?
Fertilizer? Does it die off or will a well cared one last?
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Richo Cech –
Hello LAna,
Thanks for contacting. Plant mandrake on the north side of a rock, in fast-draining soil in the full sun. You can give a dilute fish emulsion fertilizer occasionally during the growing cycle. The plant will emerge in January and go dormant in June. It is perennial. Please check this bolog https://blog.strictlymedicinalseeds.com/growing-mandrake-beyond-the-basics/
Richo
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Question
Alison –
Hi there!
I have two questions – 1) Do you know exact date they’ll be shipped out in spring? And 2) Is touching the root/leafs with bare hands safe?
Thanks!
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hello Alison,
Yes, its safe to touch the mandrake plant with the bare hands–if there was any harm in it, I would have experienced that long ago and many times. Regarding spring shipment, lacking any directions from the buyer, we set up orders to ship to warm states starting March 15 and to cooler states starting April 15. Its a complex equation and you are welcome to indicate shipping time preference in the “order comments” field when ordering. We would then attempt to meet that schedule, nature and the plants themselves willing. Richo
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Alison (verified owner) –
Hi again!
I forgot to ask before – what size pot do you recommend for a single plant?
Thanks!
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Admin Richo Cech –
We recommend repotting to a gallon pot on receipt. Here’s a link to my blog on mandrake, beyond the basics https://blog.strictlymedicinalseeds.com/growing-mandrake-beyond-the-basics/
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Carlos Bermudez (verified owner) –
I just got my plant 04/05/2020 Thursday in the middle of the pandemic here in NYC , after a long wait I couldn’t be more happier it really made my day she was perfectly protected and packaged with proper permits and instructions of how to replant plus an amazing catalog of other very difficult and rare plants.
Thank you so much for the great job. keep safe and healthy I will definitely get more plants from this company.
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Patrice Mcgowen (verified owner) –
Still doing great
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Maria –
How can I buy one
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Richo Cech –
As of 3/31/2020, in stock, put plant in shopping cart and check out. Delivery currently 2 to 3 weeks. pax, richo
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Question
Caroline Claverhouse-Orlowski –
Hi Beautiful Ones, can the Mandrake be shipped to Australia? If so, please put me on the wait list! Bright Blessings – Caroline
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hi Caroline,
We cannot ship plants internationally. I wish we could. Governments are getting increasingly strict on importation of botanicals. It may be that Australia, that like the EU, will enact requirements for phytosanitary certificates, in which case we won’t even be able to send the seeds to australia. My advice is to stock up on seeds while you can.
Richo
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Question
Phoebe –
Hello I was wondering on when there will be more of the mandrake officinarum
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hi Phoebe,
I can scare up a few. Please feel free to order.
Richo
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Question
Stephani Patrick –
How do I take care of this plant at this time of year? Should I grow it indoors or go ahead and plant it outdoors? Will it do well in a container or is it best in the ground?
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Admin Richo Cech –
These are nursery grown and not outdoor acclimatized. I suggest planting to a gallon of fast-draining mix (the directions to do that come with the shipment) and growing out for a year before transplanting out to the shade garden. A cold greenhouse is best, but if there is no other choice, a sunny windowsill may work to overwinter.
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smcpatrick –
Thank you very much for your advice and for the link to the growing blog. I really want to take god care of this plant. I’ve also got Belladonna atropa on the way too. Perhaps I should build a greenhouse and try to acclimate these plants in the spring. I live in Spring, TX (just outside of Houston). It doesn’t get super cold but it does get chilly and we get the occasional short freeze.
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Admin Richo Cech –
Yes, a greenhouse is exceptional for overwintering of young and tender potted plants. Even unheated, the warmth and protection of just one layer of glass or plastic can make all the difference.
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Question
casey lucas –
So i see it says hardy from zone 6 to 10 i live in northern kentucky zone 6a. Does this mean u can plant it outside?
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hi Casey,
Yes, and working up the seedling to sufficient size before transplant as well as attention to microsite preparation will spell success. Make sure to click on the “waitlist” for this plant, I will be distributing a large number of these before winter hits. Meanwhile check this blog https://blog.strictlymedicinalseeds.com/growing-mandrake-beyond-the-basics/
Richo
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Geraldine Erb –
I would like to acquire one or two of these plants.
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hi Geraldine,
OK, these have been updated so that you can order. Unless special arrangements are made, delivery starts March 15th. If you want to further correspond with us, please use the “CONTACT US” form on our homepage.
Richo
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Question
Kimberlie –
Hi there!
Are the Mandragora officinarum available Sept 9th as well?!
Thankyou kindly,
K
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hi Kimberlie,
Sorry, not really, we have a backlog of orders on these, waiting for the potted roots to send up aerial parts. Do click the “Wait List” option, I will be enabling these in the spring, we will have many at that time.
Richo
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Question
Seamus Black –
Is it too late to reserve a couple of these?
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hi Seamus,
I’ll endeavor to e-mail you when we have potted mandrake plants in stock again.
Richo
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nefarious_black –
Thanks, Richo!
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Question
Michelle Barton –
hi – can you ship these to Australia?
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Admin Richo Cech –
No, plants ship inside the USA only.
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Joanne Misha –
Can you plant them in containers?
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Admin Richo Cech –
Yes, these are fine in containerized culture, I have very old ones still in pots. I have a nice “autumnalis” in a pot, currently in flower.
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Question
Stacia Baiocchi –
I am very interested in purchasing two of your mandrake when they become available. Please put me on your wait list. Thank you in advance
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hello Stacia,
OK, I’ll try to notify you. I do recommend choosing the “wait list” button on the mandrake page. Then, you are automatically notified when I enable the product.
Richo
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Question
Carlo B Rainone –
I would love to be added to your list for this plant. Are you still adding folks at this point? 🙂
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Admin Richo Cech –
OK, you’re on the wait list. richo
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Shanta Kamath –
How do I get on a wait list? I would like to buy a mandrake plant when more are ready.
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hello Shanta,
OK, you’re now on the list. By the way, I enabled 6 lovely Mandragora autumnalis yesterday, you might still be able to get one of those.
Richo
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Ma. Esther Cardenas –
I want a mandragora plant how do I get on a wait list.
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hello Ma. Esther, Use the “add to wishlist” button, where it says “Join the waitlist to be emailed when this product becomes available” Richo
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Question
Phoebe Lukowski –
Please let me know when these become available I would love to buy one of them
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hi Phoebe,
OK, You’re on the list!
Richo
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Kelsey Pipkin –
I’d love to be added to the waitlist:)
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Admin Richo Cech –
OK, good, you’re on it. We had 6 plants in a large population of potted plants start making very vigorous aerial parts and these were shipped, so there is completion for those folks and also hope for people with backordered plants. I’ll e-mail you when all the backorders are fulfilled.
Richo
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John James –
I would also like to be added. Thank you!
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Admin Richo Cech –
No problem, you’re now on the list.
Richo
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Isaac –
Please add me to the waitlist for mandrake plants. Thank you
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Admin Richo Cech –
OK, we shipped 6 of these this week so there is hope.
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conleymo –
I would also like to be added to the waitlist, please: I understand it’s unlikely, and appreciate it!
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hi, No problem, you’re on the list!
Richo
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Question
Kim –
Do you know when you will have mandrake and black henbane plants back in?
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Admin Richo Cech –
yes, we will endeavor to e-mail you.
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Brian Simmons –
Is there any way to be notified when you have anymore potted mandragora o. Or a.?
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hi Brian,
On 4/22/2019 every potted mandrake we have with respectable aerial parts has been distributed. We do have flats of dormant potted plants (basically roots in pots) and will shoot you an e-mail when they become aerial.
Richo
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Ashley –
Hi! Please email me as well!
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Admin Richo Cech –
OK, will do!
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Rebecca –
Add me to the list also, please!
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Admin Richo Cech –
OK, you got it.
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Question
Julie Carlson –
Will this be back in stock this year? Thanks!
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Admin Richo Cech –
tricksy little things, they grow up, look good, then go dormant unpredictably. we will continue to enable plants as they look good. we are not particularly keen on selling dormant mandrake roots, they often fail to satisfy.
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julie_carlson –
Hi Richo, thank you. It means a lot that there is such a great level of attention to the plants well being. Is there any sort of wait list or pre-purchase option? I do have some seeds for both the black and white varieties, but my understanding is that even with the best of care germination often fails.
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hi Julie actually my pleasure. Here’s a blog that gives some good tips on starting mandrake from seeds https://blog.strictlymedicinalseeds.com/growing-mandrake-beyond-the-basics/
I’ll try to e-mail you when we have good looking plants.
Richo
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Fox –
Have you shipped your March 17 2019 orders yet or are plants still dormant.
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hi Fox,
The Mandragora officinarum looked great we put them on the website and then went dormant just prior to shipping. Some people got plants, the rest were backordered, we don’t want to send out dormant mandrake plants, it just doesn’t make peoiple happy. Probably your order was backordered. You can call (541) 846-6704 to get an update. The Autumn mandrakes were fine, these started shipping already.
Richo
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Question
Rebecca –
Are Mandrakes going to be available this year?
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hi Rebecca,
I have a couple hundred of the Mandragora officinalis but they are all going dormant which is pretty typical. I’m going to see how potted sales shake down. Check back mid-april, we’re going to reassess, see how many plants are aerial, and offer again if possible.
Richo
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Jennifer Allen –
I am also interested. Will check back mid-April
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Admin Richo Cech –
80% of my mandragora officinalis seedlings in early March 2019 have gone dormant, a pity because shipping starts soon and I’d much rather ship them with leaves. I do think there will be ongoing availability. As plants come into the leafy stage and start to look good we will sell them.
Richo
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Question
Katie –
Can you ship live mandrake plants to Canada?
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Admin Richo Cech –
we cannot ship any plants or roots to Canada, only books and seeds.
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Question
Alyssa –
Hello will these be back in stock anytime soon?
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Admin Richo Cech –
Quite possibly yes. We’ll see how it all shakes out in the spring and will e-mail you if there are extras. I have a flat of nice seedlings I want to pot up before they go dormant again… richo
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Layla Schubert –
I am interested as well in either white or black mandrake plants. How do I get on a list?
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hi Layla,
I’ll try to let you know when they come back in stock but do stay in touch.
Richo
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Question
stela –
Hello I have tried to place an order to your site from Greece. Do you ship in Greece? Because I have not managed to place an order
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hello, We ship seeds internationally and plants inside the USA only. That is why you cannot order a mandrake plant from Greece. Feel free to try the seeds,
Richo
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Question
stavroula –
can you please define the country of origin?
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Admin Richo Cech –
United States
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Question
Rebecca Winfrey –
When will these be in stock again?
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Admin Richo Cech –
we have plenty of mandrake plants in production, we will enable ordering soon, and we will begin shipping to the warmer states March 15 2019
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Question
cgraceduncan –
Will you have any available for the Fall shipping, or would Spring be a better time? Thanks! Love the book, thanks for signing it!
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hi! We’ll have mandrake plants in the spring. The plants are currently dormant, and unlike most plants, do not do well when transplanted in dormancy, it is better to work with growing plants in the early spring. Please check back then. Richo
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Question
Shannon –
When will you have more of these plants? Thank you.
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Admin Richo Cech –
Shannon,
I am going to have a large number of seedling Mandragora officinalis this year (spring 2018). Stay tuned, I want them to be large enough to withstand the rigors of travel and transplant before listing. The price will be cheaper because the plants will be younger.
Richo
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Shannon –
Thank you very much. I just bought some plants today but will wait also for the white Mandrake plants. By the way, you have a lovely business and your seed and plant collection/stock is beautiful. Very unique as I cannot find many plants you have anywhere else. I think you also might be the only online store that sells Mandrake plants consistently. Keep it up. 🙂
Hugs and Blessings!
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hello Shannon,
Thanks for the encouragement, we have been experimenting with growing rare plants for some years now. Just when you think you know how to have success every time, a new challenge comes up. I guess thats why they’re rare… Richo
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Mary –
Are you already sold out for the season or will more be posted later?
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Admin Richo Cech –
Please do stay tuned, we have ongoing populations of these that will be offered for sale from time to time. r
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Marie –
Would either of the mandrake plants do ok in a pot?
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Admin Richo Cech –
Yes, Mandrakes are relatively dependable in pots, I have individuals of both species that have been in pots for years. One even fruited this year. Richo
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Spencer Damon –
Hello, I would like to be added to the waiting list as well please.
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Admin Richo Cech –
OK, you’re on it!
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bella townsend –
Is this the true mandrake or is it may apple ?
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Richo Cech –
Hi Bella,
It’s the true mandrake. Mayapple is Podophyllum and looks quite different.
Best regards,’
Richo
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Claire Drouault (verified owner) –
I have a nice patch of Mayapple in my wooded back yard. When my Mandrake plants are big enough to transplant would they co-habitate well with the Mayapple? I’m trying to attract fireflies.
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Richo Cech –
Hi Claire, Mayapple is a really lovely plant, isn’t it? Not only the characteristically umbrella’d leaf shape, but the waxy flower–really rather magnificent. Despite the “American Mandrake” adage mayapples and true mandrake (Mandragora spp.) are really rather different in their habitat requirements. Put the true mandrake in a sand bed in the sunniest spot on the land. Mayapple likes woodlands and boggy lawns.
Richo
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