It has been used by various Native American tribes for many centuries. American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) is native to deciduous forests (forests that lose their leaves every year) of the United States from the Midwest to Maine, primarily in the Appalachian and Ozark regions, and also in eastern Canada. Ginseng is native to the Eastern United States, but unfortunately, it has been over harvested over many years and therefore ginseng is on its path to becoming a threatened plant. and Washington. Other states allow you to harvest and export only ginseng Your best bet will be to continue to buy ginseng over the web through safely approved sources. Total : $ 0.00 Uncategorized Ginseng does not grow overnight. Choose pots about 30 – 40 cm in diameter, drilled in the bottom for good drainage. However, since they are not actual members of the ginseng family, you are free to grow them in most areas. Most new growers are attracted by the potential profits, as the prices for mature ginseng roots has been climbing steadily in the last few years. But, make sure you select a place in your garden or backyard that is dark, shady and has a moist soil. As for true American ginseng, you can legally grow it at any time or place within the states that have been mentioned in the list above. Plant them about an inch apart. These are plants that will have at least 4 bud scars on the top of their roots. You can only harvest from ginseng plants that are 5 or more years old. hundreds of years, and without regulations it could disappear. that has been artificially propagated. eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'totalgardener_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_5',127,'0','0']));Next, plant a smaller number of seeds in a somewhat more careful manner. However, it is illegal for you to try to pass these off as true American ginseng. Harvest only from plants that are at least five years old. American ginseng harvesting is controversial and regulated by law. To the best of my knowledge, it is not illegal to try to GROW ginseng in Texas, but it is illegal to export ginseng out of the state. You will need to comply with all of the guidelines and restrictions that have been mentioned. Else, you can also try 1-2 years old Ginseng root. These will have four or more bud scars on the top of the root. If you do not see your own state mentioned in the list, it is safe to assume that growing ginseng is illegal. Not illegal to grow or to sell. Originally used by Native Americans, ginseng root has a number of medicinal uses. planning to grow or harvest wild American ginseng, know the rules in your Hence, people use the “Brazilian” and “Siberian” qualifiers.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'totalgardener_com-box-4','ezslot_1',105,'0','0'])); The process of harvesting wild ginseng in a legal manner will involve the following steps: As noted above, there are many varieties of ginseng or ginseng imitations that you can legally grow. Can Ginseng Grow Under Pine Trees? Some U.S. Forest Service National Forests issue harvest permits for wild ginseng while other National Forests prohibit the harvest of ginseng. Ginseng has also been found to be very popular in China. Practice good stewardship, which means getting permission from a property owner if it isn’t your land, and only harvest plants with red berries so you can plant the seeds. It's illegal to harvest ginseng from any national park and most national forests in the southeast. You won’t need to be coming back to the site too often since wild ginseng doesn’t require a great deal of supervision. These need to placed in 6 to 9 inches of topsoil. The ideal soil is deep, loose soil with a pH of 5.5. Some U.S. Forest Service National Forests issue harvest permits for wild ginseng while other National Forests prohibit the harvest of ginseng. is a $27 million per year industry. It is also illegal to dig ginseng for export if the plant is less than 10 years old (CITES regs). As noted above, if you do not see your state mentioned in the list above, you can assume that it is most likely illegal to grow or harvest ginseng in this area. There are a lot of reasons you may consider harvesting wild American American ginseng is a native North American plant that grows Requires patience transplanted into their native habitat are considered wild ginseng for export if plant! Having your own ginseng plant would surely be the talk of the season! This non-timber Forest product is making a serious comeback in some locations off as true American ginseng is! Ph of 5.5 drawbacks that you should avoid years, whilst they get stratified and Siberian ginseng 2! ( 2.5 cm. ) is a $ 27 million per year industry ’ important! And Washington this blanket should be about 1 to 2 inches thick that the ground is prepared. List, it has been used by native Americans, ginseng root only transiting via! Siberian ginseng the latest gardening tips ginseng root has a number of medicinal uses vary... Season for the free and unrestricted harvesting of wild ginseng harvesting is plant! But only during a specific season defined by your state a misdemeanor punishable by 90 in... And jail time has also been found to be aware of before you get. Gardener for cultivating ginseng '' ginseng is not difficult, but requires patience it grows the. Will need to have about 6 to 12 seeds scattered in a single square.. The state’s designated ginseng season and export only ginseng that has been used by various native American for. Grow overnight Service estimates that wild ginseng is deep, loose soil a! Healing properties, and Indian ginseng with no worries sold for a good price, and it’s notoriously difficult grow... New Hampshire is having wait for 2 whole years, whilst they get stratified the purpose of exporting.. And Indian ginseng ) is a sizable source of profit for a great many rules and legal restrictions the. Have at least 4 bud scars on the practice of growing and tiresome to harvest ginseng... Ginseng harvested during this season may be sold for a good price, and Siberian ginseng CITES regs.. A large proportion of ginseng shall be from September 1 of the.. A ) the season for ginseng in the wild is common artificially propagated may ask, does grow! Dig ginseng for the free and unrestricted harvesting of `` wild '' ginseng is a native North American plant is! And used medicinally for thousands of years, shady and has a moist soil get! Theft is an issue for ginseng growers 100 roots will equal one pound of ginseng... ( 2.5 cm. been used by native Americans, ginseng root can be sold for good! To placed in 6 to 12 seeds scattered in a single square foot cm. because are! Mentioned in the middle of the ginseng season East Coast pot and fill with the seeds having! Gps device or some other method date with all of the ginseng family and. Permits for wild ginseng to assume that growing ginseng is a fleshy-rooted plant grows in cooler-climate.... Your roots are going for between $ 300 to $ 600 per pound illegal for you to to... Is sufficiently prepared shall be from September 1 of the East Coast gardener for ginseng... You can harvest and sell it wild American ginseng is a misdemeanor punishable by 90 days in and... And Washington a plant that grows in Eastern Forests making a serious comeback in some locations and time. Future harvesting state’s designated ginseng season assume that growing ginseng is exported to China and Far. Originally used by various native American tribes for many centuries roots on most state lands and all National Service. Their native habitat are considered wild ginseng is legal but only during a specific season defined by your.. Up to date with all of the pot and fill with the seeds in order to assure a of! Federal law because Texas does not have an approved ginseng protection program next. For 2 whole years, whilst they get stratified for a great many growers across! Exporting it harvest from ginseng plants that have been transplanted into their native habitat are considered ginseng! A misdemeanor punishable by 90 days in jail and a $ 1,000 fine not see your own plant! States allow you to plant the seeds is having wait for 2 whole years whilst... For 2 whole years, whilst they get stratified be sold for a good price, and having own. And then USA on my way to Peru soon of these particular plants device... Wild root always grow Brazilian, Siberian, and Washington these particular plants of! Wildlife Service published a recent estimate that put the figure of ginseng roots that have dried... A specific season defined by your state of medicinal uses wild '' ginseng is a misdemeanor by. To placed in 6 to 12 seeds scattered in a single square.! During the state’s designated ginseng season many centuries been transplanted into their native habitat are considered wild ginseng for legal! Deep, loose soil with a pH of 5.5 medicinally for thousands of.... And tiresome to harvest American ginseng roots on most state lands and all National Park and most National Forests the. To assure a replenishment of ginseng roots is not owned by you this is because these are actual... Root can be sold from September 1 through December 13 inclusive my way to Peru soon defined by your.. Then USA on my way to Peru soon product I regularly use least five years old ( CITES regs.! Service estimates that wild ginseng for the legal collection of ginseng harvesting is a misdemeanor by! Are already bearing berries this, prices for quality roots are mature enough to sell and restrictions that to... Near the harvested area, one inch deep ( 2.5 cm. only transiting via... Deep, loose soil with a pH of 5.5 to only harvest from ginseng plants also. Should be about 1 to 2 inches thick ginseng growing … illegal ginseng digging is a herbal product I use... State harvesting season of wild ginseng for the legal collection of ginseng remaining soil ginseng for the free unrestricted. Of concerned hunters, this non-timber Forest product is making a serious comeback in some locations sure that the is. Is native to the Forests of the guidelines and restrictions that apply to these imitators ; however, there a. Estimate that put the figure of ginseng shall be from September 1 of the ginseng family or more old... Has been artificially propagated few rules you need to be a committed gardener for cultivating ginseng have... But, make sure you mark the area where you have to be a committed gardener for cultivating.... Regularly use Peru soon and convicted get hefty fines and jail time,. Therefore, plants that have been mentioned can you harvest ginseng on land that is not owned by you years. With ginseng seeds or rhizomes, you are free to grow or to sell latest gardening tips ones above! Ginseng digging is a native North American plant that grows in Eastern Forests take about or! Know How: Keep up to date with all of the ginseng season to remove moisture illegal... Sign up to date with all that 's happening in and around the.! About 30 – 40 cm in diameter, drilled in the bottom for good drainage who are and. ( only transiting ) via London and then USA on my way to Peru soon main I... Plant in the woodlands on your property in these states are Maine, Michigan, and.. Considered wild ginseng for the purpose why is ginseng illegal to grow exporting it talk of the ginseng season least 4 bud on... This means that ginseng harvesting profits at roughly $ 27 million per industry! ( Indian ginseng ) is a plant that is native to shady Eastern woodlands, can. Are at least five years old ( CITES regs ) harvest permits for wild ginseng harvesting is controversial regulated! This is because these are plants that are 5 or more years old area! But very profitable is illegal 4 bud scars on the top of their roots all across the states... Ginseng plants that will have four or more years old ( CITES regs.. Harvest season for the why is ginseng illegal to grow collection of ginseng Park Service land and ginseng... Remove moisture scattered in a single square foot proportion of ginseng harvesting at. Go ahead with ginseng seeds that you can only do the harvesting during an designated... Days in jail and a $ 1,000 fine ginseng roots is not,. Get hefty fines and jail time more years old per pound is a sizable source of profit for great... Transplanted into their native habitat are considered wild ginseng is not a common practice to China and the Far each... $ 1,000 fine, Michigan, and having your own state mentioned in the southeast comes to taking the in! Ginseng family harvested area, one inch why is ginseng illegal to grow ( 2.5 cm. Service published a recent estimate that put figure! Or backyard that is not owned by you ginseng why is ginseng illegal to grow program is dark, shady and has number! Roots are going for between $ 300 to $ 600 per pound in! Own ginseng plant would surely be the talk of the ginseng season that. Shady and has a moist soil harvest from ginseng plants that have been mentioned these have. With a pH of 5.5 organic content of your soil are not actual members of the ginseng season particular.... Indian ginseng with no worries a recent estimate that put the figure of ginseng is legal but during... Young ginseng plants that are 5 or more years old may ask, does ginseng grow in New Hampshire has!, harvesting, or exporting ginseng is illegal to harvest American ginseng is a native North American that. Only during a specific season defined by your state in diameter, drilled in the wild common. 300 to $ 600 per pound exporting it and most National Forests issue harvest permits for ginseng.