The Angelica herb is a sweet tasting herb that is most frequently cultivated for medicinal purposes. It can be used in cooking as an aromatic.
How To Grow Angelica
Angelica is grown from seed. Seeds do not last longer than 3 months, so be sure to plant as quickly as possible. It prefers a coolish climate with soil temperatures 10°C to 25°C (50° to 75°F). It needs a lot of space and appreciates a good deal of shade with intermittent sunlight. It’s a nice looking plant and can therefore be planted in a prominent position in the garden.
It transplants poorly and should therefore be sown in its final position. Sprinkle the seed across the soil and cover lightly. As the plants grow, thin to a final spacing of 3 feet (90cm) apart.
The plant will die back completely in winter. It is biennial, so the ground can be marked out and left for growth the following year. It will continue to propagate itself if left to self-seed. Some gardeners choose to cut back the flower head to force the plant to hang around for up to four years.
Angelica needs lots and lots of water. The plant will let you know if it is not getting enough by a yellow tinge to its leaves.
Growing Angelica in Containers
Angelica does not like being indoors, and it’s a bit big for container growing anyway. If you’re absolutely desperate and have a pot large enough, it is certainly possible. It will require some sort of support as it grows to prevent the entire plant from tipping over.
Harvesting Angelica
Harvest leaves any time after maturity for fresh use. People typically harvest the roots in the second season for medicinal use.