Panax

( PAN - acks )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus in the Ivy family of plants is native mainly to east Asia and eastern North America. They are commonly called Ginseng, and are cultivated for their edible roots, used to flavor a variety of dishes including soups, stews, stir-fries, and teas. Roots are also commonly processed into a powder and used to flavor smoothies, yoghurts, or oatmeal.

Panax Species and Varietals

The genus Panax is a member of the Ivy plant family Araliaceae, and includes 14 distinct species. The genus name is derived from the Greek word panax, meaning 'all healing'. The growing zones for these plants vary depending on the species; for more information, consult the information below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Panax ginseng (Asian Ginseng, Ginseng, Chinese Ginseng, Korean Ginseng)
This species is native to mountainous regions of East Asia, and is primarily cultivated in Korea. The roots of these plants are the original source of ginseng. Individual plants reach up to 24 inches tall when mature, and produce green foliage and red fruits with white seeds. This species is considered endangered in Russia and China due to over-harvesting.

Panax notoginseng (Chinese Ginseng, Notoginseng, Tienchi Ginseng, Three-Seven Root, Mountain Plant)
This species, native to China, produces dark foliage and red clusters of berries. It is formally cultivated as well as gathered from wild areas in its native range (wild plants are more valuable).

Panax quinquefolius (American Ginseng)
This species of ginseng is native to eastern North America. It is considered vulnerable to extinction due to overharvesting in its native range. Its aromatic root resembles a small parsnip, and forks as it matures. Flowers bloom in summertime, followed by berries.

Caring for Panax

Panax, or Ginseng, plants are typically planted as bare roots or seeds, between summer and early fall (before the first frost of the year). Pre-stratified seeds that have shed their outer layer are best, and will germinate more readily in the spring after being planted. Ginseng plants take time and patience to grow. Choose a planting site that gets partial shade (about 80% shade is ideal). Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 5.0 and 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Ginseng will simply not grow well in heavily compacted or clay soils. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. After they mature, they appreciate consistently moist soils but will suffer from root rot issues if left in boggy conditions.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season, and remove flower stems if you will be harvesting the roots. This will send more energy into the root system and make it larger over time. If you will be harvesting plants for their seeds, make sure to leave some flowering heads on plants to develop into berries. After leaves have yellowed and died back, they can be cut back.

Harvesting Ginseng
Take note that harvesting American ginseng on most state lands and National Park Service lands in the United States is illegal, even if the harvested root will only be used for private use and not sold. Make sure to check for permission before foraging for and harvesting Ginseng roots.

Panax plants are harvested for their edible, fragrant, and flavorful roots that are used in myriad culinary applications. The roots are commonly known as Ginseng. Seed-grown Ginseng plants typically take between 3 and 5 years to produce roots large enough for harvesting, though in less-than-ideal conditions, they can take up to 6-8 years. To harvest roots, wait until they are large enough to be harvested; the taproot will have three to four 'prongs'. Working your way in from the outside of the plant, gently begin lifting the root system out of the ground, being careful to not damage or nick the root system. Once it is out of the ground, brush off any dirt or debris. Wash roots promptly under cold water, and gently rub them to remove loose soil. Lay them out to dry fully away from direct sun in a cool, dry place. Fresh ginseng can be stored in the fridge for between 2 and 3 weeks in an airtight container. Ginseng can also be dried. To dry roots, keep them in an area that remains between the temperatures of 70 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit and has adequate airflow. An oscillating fan can help increase airflow. The roots will shrink while they dry, and are fully dried when a dried root snaps easily into two pieces. The interior should be completely white, and not have a brown ring inside, which indicates the presence of mold. Any moldy roots should be composted.

Propagation

Panax, or Ginseng, can be propagated by division or seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant, especially if you are propagating a hybrid cultivar. To propagate your Ginseng, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Panax by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
Panax seeds harvested from the garden will need a period of cold-stratification in order to germinate. To complete this process, first place seeds in a bag or other sealable container filled with moistened sand or peat moss. Then, place the container in the refrigerator (or similarly cool, dark space) for 2-3 months. The ideal temperature for cold-stratification is around 40 degrees Fahrenheit. After this period has passed, remove seeds from the container.
Get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-6 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Propagating Panax by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the root(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Start to tease apart the roots with your gloved fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.