Shop at deodar-seeds.com 
About this seed
Green chiretta (Andrographis paniculata) is an annual herb of the family Acanthaceae, 30–110 cm tall with pink flowers, native to India and Sri Lanka. It is a long-season crop that germinates slowly and unevenly.
Also known as: Creat, Green chiretta, King of bitters, Kalmegh, Bhui neem, Nilavembu, Sambiloto, Fa thalai chon, Chuan xin lian (Chinese), Justicia paniculata (synonym).
Timing: plan for a slow start
One specialist supplier reports some seed germinating at 13 days and the rest at 56 days, and others report up to 6 months. The same source gives about 160 days for the plant to mature. These are supplier observations, not a test of this lot, so we state no emergence time of our own.
Sowing and growing
- Press the seed onto the surface of a sandy, well-drained mix; keep it warm, moist and in the light. Avoid waterlogging.
- Start early in a greenhouse or indoors and transplant after frost, once seedlings have a second set of true leaves.
- Space plants about 60 cm apart in full sun.
- Move seedlings gradually into stronger light.
What can go wrong
- Shade slows flowering and seed production; the plant favours leaf growth there.
- Constantly wet soil also favours leaves over flowers and seed.
- In a short season the plant may not finish its cycle outdoors.
FAQ
Is it an annual or perennial?
An annual, though it self-seeds where it completes its cycle.
Why is nothing up after a few weeks?
Germination is erratic and can take months. Keep the mix warm and lightly moist rather than discarding it early.