Shady ashwagandha plants have felt-like branches and can reach heights of 50 to 150 cm. These plants produce a large number of lateral, unbranched, light brown roots that grow along the taproot; these roots can get as big as a thin carrot. The leaves of ashwagandha are round, grey-green, and pubescent (hairy). They can reach a maximum length of 10 cm, and when touched, they release an extremely unpleasant odor. The green-yellow flowers usually emerge from the plant’s leaf axils in clusters of five. They are encircled by hairy, serrated sepals that, like physalis or ground cherries, form a sheath around a berry that resembles a paper lantern after pollination. The dried, brown sepals of the berries split open to expose the scarlet fruit within when the berries ripen in late October. As is common with nightshades, the light brown seeds inside ashwagandha fruits are flat and kidney-shaped.
Habitat
This evergreen shrub is indigenous to the Canary Islands, South Asia, North Africa, and the Mediterranean.
Uses
The plant may have neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, according to some data. Numerous health issues are rooted in inflammation, and lowering inflammation can shield the body from a range of ailments such as stress, anxiety, exhaustion, pain, skin disorders, diabetes, arthritis, and epilepsy.
Plant Care
- During the growing season, ashwagandha bushes don’t require pruning or thinning out, making them generally low-maintenance plants.
- Water from time to time, but make sure you let the top layer of soil dry completely before you water it again.
- Fertilize these plants starting in June, as they take up a lot of nutrients from the soil. The plants will have started to produce flower buds by this point, and the nutrients in the potting soil will have been depleted. Applying an organic liquid fertilizer, like our Plantura Liquid Tomato Food, is a simple way to give ashwagandha plants the nitrogen and potassium they need. Continue to fertilize frequently till the end of the growing season. In regards to dosing, we advise applying once a week after diluting 15 to 25ml in 5 liters of water.
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