How to Grow Angelica Herb Plants

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About Growing Angelica Plants in Your Herb Garden

Angelica herb is an aromatic herb, best known for its medicinal uses. Also, it is used in cooking and teas. Native to eastern North America, Angelica plants prefer cool, moist woodlands, streambeds, and shaded areas. Growing Angelica plants is easy. This ornamental plant is a biennial and can grow to 4 – 8 feet tall.

Angelica flowers begin to bloom in July, with small but numerous flowers. Flower colors are white, greenish-white, and yellow. The flowers give way to oblong fruit, up to 10 inches n diameter.

Other Names: Alexanders, Archangel, Purple-stem Angelica, American Angelica, Wild Archangel, Masterwort.

Move over Garlic… Angelica is believed to ward off evil spirits, ghosts, and witchcraft, too.

Try growing Angelica plants in your backyard shade garden.

Plant Height: six to eight feet.

Hardiness Zones: 4  – 7

Biennial, Angelica atropurpurea

Medicinal and Culinary Uses

Medicinal Uses: The primary medicinal uses are for fever, coughs, colds, as a gargle for sore throats, flatulence, and stomach disorders. It is believed to be good for heart health. Angelica is often used in teas.

Culinary Uses: It is used in a variety of recipes and teas. Young shoots spice up salads, with a taste somewhat like celery.

Important Note: Angelica should not be taken, if you are pregnant.

Angelica Plant Propagation

The plants are started from seed. Seeds do not store well, or for long. You can prolong viability, by storing them in the freezer.

The seeds take a long time to start. Consequently, we recommend an indoor seed start. Also, we recommend a heated germination mat, for faster, more successful germination. 

Final Plant Spacing:  Four to six feet apart.

Days to Germination: 25 – 30 days.

How to Grow Angelica Plants

The plants are easy to grow. They grow best in light to moderate shade. They do not like full sun. Plants do best in cooler regions.

The soil should be rich and deep. Keep soil moist all season. They do not do well in droughts.

Fertilize once a month in poorer soils.

Keep young plants well-weeded. Then, after they have grown a foot or so, apply a thick layer of mulch. This helps to retain soil moisture and gives the plant a neat and tidy appearance.

Provide a trellis or fence for the plants to climb.

Established plants should do well with little maintenance.

Ideal pH: slightly acidic

Insect and Plant Disease Problems

Insect and disease problems are uncommon.

Also see: 

Plant Problems – causes and cures

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