Beginner
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng)
Comment on a listing
Plant supplier links
- Login to upload a photo
1 hour care
per year
per year
0.8m
Max height
Max height
0.7m
Max spread
Max spread
10-20 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Panax quinquefolius
Other names
American ginseng, North American ginseng
Genus
Panax Panax
Species
P. quinquefolius - P. quinquefolius is an erect perennial with edible roots and three palmate leaves divided into three or five ovate to elliptic, toothed, pointed, mid-green leaves. A spherical umbel of lightly fragrant, greenish-white to yellow-green flowers in summer are followed by bright red fruit.
Panax quinquefolius is: Deciduous
Habit
Erect
Flower
Greenish-white in Summer
Foliage
Mid-green in Spring; Mid-green in Summer; Mid-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
No pruning required.
Propagation
Sow seed in a cold frame as soon as ripe. Seed may be slow and erratic to germinate.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng) will reach a height of 0.8m and a spread of 0.7m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Bog garden, Underplanting, Wildlife, Woodland
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, cool, moist, acid to neutral soil in partial to full shade. Best in a moist, woodland setting. Do not allow soil to dry out. An endangered species so do not dig plants from the wild in its native region.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Panax quinquefolius
Other names
American ginseng, North American ginseng
Genus
Panax Panax
Species
P. quinquefolius - P. quinquefolius is an erect perennial with edible roots and three palmate leaves divided into three or five ovate to elliptic, toothed, pointed, mid-green leaves. A spherical umbel of lightly fragrant, greenish-white to yellow-green flowers in summer are followed by bright red fruit.
Native to
Eastern North America
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Erect
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
Colour
Flower
Greenish-white in Summer
Foliage
Mid-green in Spring; Mid-green in Summer; Mid-green in Autumn
General care
Pruning
No pruning required.
Propagation
Sow seed in a cold frame as soon as ripe. Seed may be slow and erratic to germinate.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Monthly care advice
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
Where to grow
Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng) will reach a height of 0.8m and a spread of 0.7m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Bog garden, Underplanting, Wildlife, Woodland
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, cool, moist, acid to neutral soil in partial to full shade. Best in a moist, woodland setting. Do not allow soil to dry out. An endangered species so do not dig plants from the wild in its native region.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4
Defra's Risk register #1
Plant name
Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng)
Common pest name
Leaf spot: ginseng; Leaf spot: ornamentals
Scientific pest name
Alternaria panax
Type
Fungus
Current status in UK
Absent
Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
4
General biosecurity comments
A leaf spot disease; some commonly grown pot plants are hosts but main damage is to ginseng.
About this section
Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.
Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here
Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.
Date updated: 7th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Clay, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Shade | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
Report content or feedback to Shoot
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login