15-20 seeds
Sowing: from March, in a warm seedbed
Sixth: 80 cm between plants 1 m between rows
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera L.): In recent years, there's been a lot of buzz about this plant, or rather its roots, ground into powder and sold as a herbal supplement. In reality, it has been used in Ayurveda (traditional Indian medicine) for several thousand years.
The scientific name of the species depends on the effects of the active ingredients present in the plant; in reality, it is a nightshade of the Physalis genus, the same as tomatillo and chuva . You will notice that the tiny berries, from which the seeds are obtained, are enclosed in tiny, papery calyxes, just like the species mentioned above.
Ashwagandha is easy to grow; it's sown in March and will produce berries in August. The plant is perennial if not exposed to frost. If you prefer, you can also grow them in pots and bring them indoors in the winter. They may lose their leaves below 10°C, but will resume vegetative growth in spring.
Germination is never a problem, as long as the temperature in the seedbed is at least 18°C.
You can plant it in full sun in medium-textured soil, while in sandy soils it prefers a location in partial shade.
The leaves and roots of the plant are used: after collecting the seeds, you can uproot the plant to dry, peel the bark, and grind the roots into powder. They are fragrant, and you'll find that when you hold them in your hand, they'll entice you to eat them; you sense an ancestral connection.
It does not require any fertilization and has low water requirements.
This is also a species of great botanical interest, suitable for collectors and the curious. Its ease of cultivation makes it suitable even for novice gardeners.