How to Grow Pleurisy Root

Plant pleurisy root seeds in the fall. It is necessary that the seeds experience a period of cold before they germinate. Providing a period of cold weather for the seeds is known as stratification.

Choose a location that is in full sun. The soil should be well-drained.

Work the soil into a fine texture with a gardening claw tool or other gardening hand tool. Sow seeds about 3/8 inch deep and about 12 inches apart. Press gently. In the spring, seeds will germinate in 14 to 21 days when the weather warms up.

Water the pleurisy root when the soil dries out. Keep the soil generally medium moist to dry. Mulch the area around the pleurisy root if the soil retains too little moisture between waterings. Weed the garden periodically. Pleurisy root does not usually require fertilization because it is a wildflower. However, you can apply general purpose fertilizer lightly if it shows signs of stress. Follow the directions on the fertilizer label.

Harvest pleurisy root after at least two to three years of growing. It will take some time for the root to grow to a size that makes it worth the harvest. Dig up the large, main taproot of pleurisy root with a spade after the flowers have wilted and produced seeds. You can also wait until early spring to harvest roots from the previous growing season.