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Ginseng

Panax ginseng
Edible value3Medicinal value9
perennial0.6×0.3 mzone 6–9full shade

Will it grow where I live?

Ginseng is hardy to zone 6, which covers nearly all of Central Europe and the British Isles; only harsh upland sites (Alps, high ridges) call for winter protection.

Or check it for your location right here:

Winter hardiness by USDA zone, summer warmth by heat sum – the same values the app and the plant finder use.

Profile

Family
Araliaceae
Habit
perennial
Height
0.6 m
Spread
0.3 m
Growth
very slow
Lifespan
20 years
First yield
after 3 years
Hardiness
zone 6–9
Shade tolerance
full shade
Soil
Sand, Silt, Loam
Soil moisture
dry – moist
pH
5 – 6.5
nectar source

Uses

Edible3 of 10
Medicinal9 of 10

Frequently asked questions

Ginseng: how big does it get?

Ginseng (Panax ginseng) grows as a perennial and reaches roughly 0.6 m in height when mature, with a spread of about 0.3 m. Growth is very slow.

Ginseng: what site does it need?

Ginseng tolerates full shade. Suitable soils are Sand, Silt, Loam. Soil moisture should be in the range dry – moist. The pH may lie between 5 and 6.5.

Ginseng: is it hardy?

Ginseng is listed as hardy in zone 6–9 and survives normal winters outdoors there.

Ginseng: will it grow in Central Europe?

Ginseng is hardy to zone 6, which covers nearly all of Central Europe and the British Isles; only harsh upland sites (Alps, high ridges) call for winter protection.

Ginseng: is it poisonous?

No toxicity is recorded for Ginseng. With wild plants, never rely on a database alone — only on a confident identification.

Ginseng: what is it used for?

Rated on a scale up to 10: Edible 3/10, Medicinal 9/10.

Community experience

No first-hand reports for this plant yet.

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All data without warranty. Site data and texts from the Permaplans database.

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