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Publication #HS601

Ginseng — Panax quinquefolius L.1

James M. Stephens2

Ginseng, a fleshy-rooted herb, is also called sang, ninsin, five fingers, and seng. Ginseng plants are about 12-18 inches tall. Each leaf stem has three or more compound leaves, with each leaf composed of five oblong-pointed leaflets. The fruit is a bright crimson berry. The mature root, which is the part used, is 3-4 inches long, up to 1 inch thick, and usually forked with circular wrinkles. It somewhat resembles a young parsnip or parsley root that is branched three or more times.

CULTURE

Ginseng is native to cool and shady woodlands from Canada to northern Florida. Native ginseng seems to be much preferred by oriental users who are able to distinguish wild from cultivated types. Reports indicate ginseng roots often decay in the soil when attempts are made to grow them under warm humid Florida summer conditions.

Ginseng requires 5-7 years to mature its roots. It needs shade and may be grown in shady wooded areas or in lath houses. Seeds may be planted, but require a longer period from planting to harvest than seedlings. Set seedlings 8 inches apart. These will produce seed the first year, which then also can be planted. Another way to start ginseng is to plant roots.

USE

Chief users of ginseng are Orientals who use the dried roots for their stimulative properties. Beverages such as tea are often flavored with ground ginseng root. Very high prices per pound of dried root have caused many to consider growing it in their woody areas. Woodlands of the eastern United States mountains are often scoured by "sang" hunters.

POTENTIAL FOR PRODUCTION

For those who wish to try growing ginseng in Florida, it is a risky endeavor. Some of the reasons are:

  • it is mostly an export market;

  • ginseng takes so long to mature;

  • wild roots are preferred;

  • our warm climate make poor quality roots;

  • the planting material is expensive (seeds, plants, or roots); and

  • production problems exist.

Footnotes

1.

This document is HS601, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date May 1994. Reviewed March 2009. Visit the EDIS Web Site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

James M. Stephens, Professor, Horticultural Sciences Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie Ferrer-Chancy, Interim Dean.