Tips on Growing American Ginseng Root

Compass and Slope Planting

• Ginseng grows best on a slight slope, so avoid flat lands with poor drainage. Steep slopes lose their water faster than gentle ones do, so plant on the lowest portion of the slope. It is also much easier to maintain the plants if the planting is done on a gentle rise rather than a steep one. North- and east-facing slopes are good planting spots for ginseng. Both sites will receive less than optimum bright sunlight throughout the day, with the east slope getting only morning sunlight and the north slopes getting less direct sunlight throughout the day. Both are more moisture rich than western or southern exposures, but the soil still needs to be well-drained to support the ginseng plant.

Litter Layers and Dense Shade

• Plant ginseng in areas where there are a lot of fallen leaves to help hold in moisture and give the ginseng the nutrition it requires. Trees that prefer moist but well-drained soil are indicators of perfect growing conditions for the ginseng. Plant where yellow poplar, sugar maple, beech, basswood, black walnut and yellow buckeye trees grow. Choose a planting site with litter that breaks down rapidly. This is the reason that sites with growing oak trees are not the best for ginseng, as oak leaves tend to break down slowly. Ginseng is unusual in that it prefers deep shade rather than direct or indirect sunlight. Ginseng farmers often provide the plants with artificial shade in the form of tarps or blankets propped over the growing plants.

Soil and Fertilization

• Evenly mixed sand, clay and silt make the perfect soil for growing ginseng. Too much of one ingredient and the mixture loses its ginseng growing capacity and can become too dry or have poor drainage. Mildly acidic soil with a pH balance of 5.5 to 6.0 is preferred. Soil can be tested by using a pH soil testing kit. Calcium, magnesium and phosphorus tend to limit the growth of ginseng. Fertilizers that contain those nutrients will not be good for this type of plant. Once a plot of land has been used to grow a crop of ginseng, it can never again be used for that same crop. A second ginseng crop will wither away and die before reaching maturity.

Stratification and Planting

• Place moist ginseng seeds in a plastic bag and store in a cold environment for several weeks before planting. This is called stratification and is necessary for the seeds to germinate more rapidly. The seeds need to be planted in the fall to allow for further stratification. They should be planted 2 to 3 inches apart in rows that are 6 to 9 inches apart. Water the plot only when the soil is very dry. After planting, cover with mulch to protect the seeds over the winter.