Panax quinquefolius - American Ginseng

Sizes available: 4 x 4 x 4 inch pot, two to three seedlings per pot

Basics: zone 4-8, 8-24" x 8-12", 70% shade, this can take many forms: all day under a tree canopy of dappled shade, deep shade, part shade. Clusters of tiny greenish-white flowers in summer ripen to red berries, wants a cool, moist, but well-drained shady environment and nutritious woodland soil. 

Common names: American Ginseng, Sang

Family: Apiaceae (Araliaceae)

Origin/Distribution: Native but rare in all New England states where it is ranked as a species of special concern, endangered, or threatened.

Habitat: Likes a shaded, moist, eastern or northern-facing slope. Found in deciduous hardwood forests.

More: I started these seed in late summer 2025. I plan to repeat this process for the next several years in order to establish a significant patch in my home gardens. I am making seedlings available in case you would like to try too. Roots are used medicinally and are harvestable about year five. Do not dig this plant in the wild and if grown from seed or purchasing roots locate an ethical source. Happy to walk you through the germination process I used, just send me an email. More info soon.

Source: seed grown at Honey Petal Plants with seed from Johnny's Selected Seeds

Image credits: Wikimedia Commons