Ashwagandha
Withania somnifera
Also listed as Physalis somnifera, Withania chevalieri
Also known as Indian Ginseng, Winter Cherry, Poison Gooseberry
Climate Match for your location
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Ashwagandha is a drought-tolerant shrub from India's arid regions, valued in Ayurvedic medicine for its adaptogenic root. Small greenish-yellow flowers precede orange berries containing seeds used for centuries as a stress-relief tonic.
Why grow it
Ashwagandha offers reliable performance in low-rainfall climates where many medicinal herbs demand supplemental irrigation. Its root biomass accumulates useful phytochemical compounds without requiring fertilizer-heavy management, making it suitable for resource-limited permaculture systems. The plant tolerates poor, well-draining soils better than most culinary or medicinal perennials, and its modest stature means it fits easily into polyculture layouts.
Watch out for
In cool climates, ashwagandha requires a longer growing season to develop harvestable root size, often necessitating mulching or season extension. Poorly drained soils can encourage root rot, particularly in humid regions, so site selection matters more than with many drought-tolerant shrubs. Inconsistent moisture during establishment may reduce first-year yields, though established plants tolerate dry periods well.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Solanaceae
Native Range
Indian subcontinent, particularly arid regions
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
Ashwagandha is a drought-tolerant shrub from India's arid regions, valued in Ayurvedic medicine for its adaptogenic root. Small greenish-yellow flowers precede orange berries containing seeds used for centuries as a stress-relief tonic.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Ashwagandha grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Ashwagandha offers reliable performance in low-rainfall climates where many medicinal herbs demand supplemental irrigation. Its root biomass accumulates useful phytochemical compounds without requiring fertilizer-heavy management, making it suitable for resource-limited permaculture systems. The plant tolerates poor, well-draining soils better than most culinary or medicinal perennials, and its modest stature means it fits easily into polyculture layouts.
Watch out for
In cool climates, ashwagandha requires a longer growing season to develop harvestable root size, often necessitating mulching or season extension. Poorly drained soils can encourage root rot, particularly in humid regions, so site selection matters more than with many drought-tolerant shrubs. Inconsistent moisture during establishment may reduce first-year yields, though established plants tolerate dry periods well.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Solanaceae
Native Range
Indian subcontinent, particularly arid regions
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
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