Panax quinquefolius /American Ginseng, Ginseng

Plant growing in woodland
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Plant growing in woodland	Foliage and green fruit	Young plant
Close view of foliage and immature fruit	Green fruit turn red in fall and open to reveal seed	Odd shape of roots associated with high price
Roots from commercially grown plants


Scientific Name:	Panax quinquefolius
Common Name:	American Ginseng, Ginseng
Plant Type:	Deciduous
Leaf Type:	Broadleaf
Hardiness Zone:	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Determine Your Zone
Height:	1-2 feet
Spread:	1-2 feet
Bloom time:	Summer
Flower color:	White, Green, Yellow
Light Exposure:	Filtered Shade, Shade
Drainage:	Well drained, Moist
Comments:	Roots of the slow-growing ginseng plant has been used in the orient as herbal medicine for thousands of years, and today the therapeutic qualities of ginseng are prized the world over. High prices are paid for the roots and so many have be dug and sold that is species has become an endangered one. Grow your own and sell what you grow. It can be grown from seed which may take two or three years to germinate and the plant three to four years to produce seed. The plants grown from roots takes at least three to four years before it is ready to harvest. Best in herb gardens, native plant gardens, woodland gardens or shade gardens.