Cultural Conditions for Andrographis and Bai Zhi (Angelica dahurica)
Answered by: Conrad Richter
Question from: Carol Isabel Thomas
Posted on: June 30, 2005

I have grown andrographis and angelica dahurica and I would like to have information about planting them in the ground. Right now they are in pots and I want to put them into a herb bed.

Sun requirements, soil preference, watering, etc. I bought the seeds from you, so now I am asking about their culture.

Bai zhi (Angelica dahurica) is a perennial herb rated hardy in zones 5 to 8. The plant grows wild in thickets in China, Japan, Korea and Russia. It is known to grow as high as 2.5 metres tall (8 feet) but it is more likely to reach a lower height. The spread is up to 1 metre (3 feet) across. It prefers full or half sun exposure and rich, moist soil.

Andrographis (A. paniculata) is a small annual shrub that grows wild throughout India. It prefers hot, humid conditions in full sun. It grows in almost any soil but prefers rich, organic soil. In India the seeds are planted at the beginning of the monsoon in July in outdoor beds fertilized with well-rotted farmyard manure; the seedlings are transplanted in rows 45-60cm (18-24 inches) apart and spaced 30-45cm (12-18 inches) apart within the rows. It grows luxuriously during the monsoon; and is harvested when it flowers in the cooler, drier weather in late October-early November. In India the time from seeding to harvest is 90 to 100 days.

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