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About this seed
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera, family Solanaceae) sprouts in about 5–7 days in nursery conditions, and seeds are sown 10–30 mm deep when direct sowing. The species suits a warm range of about 20–35 °C.
Also known as: Indian ginseng, Winter cherry, Poison gooseberry, Ashvagandha (Sanskrit), Asgandh (Hindi), Amukkara (Tamil), Orobal; synonym Physalis somnifera.
Germination and sowing
- Emergence: 5–7 days (approximate, typical nursery conditions).
- Temperature: best result at 25 °C in a lab trial comparing 20, 25 and 30 °C (approximate; a single trial, weak evidence).
- Depth: 10–30 mm for direct sowing in the field (approximate).
Growing steps
- Choose a sandy loam that is slightly alkaline, around pH 7.5 to 8.
- Raise seedlings in a nursery and transplant when they are about six weeks old, or direct sow at the depth above.
- Space plants about 60 × 60 cm.
- Where it is grown as a field crop, roots are lifted about 150–170 days after sowing.
Timing
Indian growers sow in the late rainy season, around August to September. The sowing season elsewhere depends on your warmth: do not sow into soil below the 20–35 °C range the species prefers.
FAQ
Should I sow in a nursery or in the ground?
Both work. A nursery lets you control the warmth and moisture of the 5–7 days to emergence; direct sowing needs the 10–30 mm depth and warm soil.
Why is the lab germination temperature given as a single figure?
One trial compared 20, 25 and 30 °C and found 25 °C best. Treat it as a starting point, not a guarantee for every lot.