How to Grow and Care for Angelica Plant

Growing angelica in gardens is a centuries-old tradition that continues today because of the herb's amazing flavor profile and its heavenly scent. If you are not a chef and simply looking for a sweet-smelling plant that adds some height to your garden, this starburst-shaped plant is perfect. If you have an area in your yard that gets a bit too much moisture, angelica could be a great fit. Note that this herb is slightly toxic to humans.

How to Plant Angelica

When to Plant Angelica

Plant angelica in the ground or in flats in the early spring. The soil should be consistently above 50 degrees Fahrenheit for best results.

Selecting a Planting Site

Choose a site in full sun to part shade. Make sure the site is also cool and moist.

Spacing, Depth, and Support

Plant angelica 12 to 24 inches apart. If planting in rows, space each row 36 inches apart. Seeds should be planted 1/4 inch deep in the soil.

Angelica Care

Light

Angelica's light preference is dependent on the climate. Angelica is native to colder climates and prefers cooler, moister soils. If you live in an area that tends to be warm, it is a good idea to place your angelica in a location that receives partial shade. When grown in cooler climates, this herb will need full sun.

Soil

Since angelica is highly adaptable, the only strict requirement regarding soil is moisture; it must be moist. Other than that, almost any conditions will do, but it will thrive in slightly acidic soil, with a pH no higher than 7.0. You can check the soil pH easily with a simple test, then amend as needed, but your plant should not suffer unless the soil is highly alkaline.

Water

If your angelica patch is not located in a place that receives consistent moisture from sufficient rainfall or runoff, you must water the plant often. Your herb's soil should always be damp and cool to the touch but not drenched.

Temperature and Humidity

The native temperature range of angelica is, for the most part, cool. If you live in USDA Zones 4-7, your angelica should do perfectly fine.

Fertilizer

Like most herbs, there is no need to fertilize your angelica. You may find it beneficial to mix some compost into the site where you intend to plant, but that should be all you need to do.

Types of Angelica

• Angelica archangelica: This is the common angelica with lime green flowerheads and pinkish stems.
• Angelica gigas:  Also called Korean angelica, this plant is more ornamental with deep purple flowers that appear in the summer.
• Angelica sylvestris: This type of angelica is found in the wild and is smaller with a more subtle fragrance than other angelicas.

Angelica vs. Cow Parsnip

Angelica and cow parsnip (Heracleum maximum) are often mistaken for one another. Though both are in the same carrot (Apiaceae) family and look similar, cow parsnip is considered a noxious weed. Angelica and cow parsnip are also confused with poison hemlock (Conium maculatum), which is considered invasive.

Harvesting Angelica

Harvest angelica when its leaves and stalks are young and tender, around June. Mix into salads for a slight licorice flavor. Or make candied angelica using these tender young stems.

How to Grow Angelica in Pots

Angelica looks pretty in pots as a tall backdrop for other plants and spillers. Choose a pot (with drainage holes) that's large enough to accommodate the roots. Fill a 16-inch pot with sand, perlite, and a good-quality potting mix. Water the plant weekly to keep it moist but not soggy. Keep the pot in full sun or part shade.

How to Grow Angelica from Seed

While propagation using mature plants is possible, angelica has a very deep taproot that can become easily damaged, so starting from seed is the easiest and most successful method. To propagate angelica from seed, take these steps:

1. Start in early fall by locating a usually moist area where the plant can grow.
2. Place a sheet of lightproof black plastic over the area to kill any vegetation, then remove the plastic just before the first frost.
3. Rake the area to remove any remaining grass or vegetation and break up the soil.
4. Wet the soil before pressing your angelica seed evenly about 1/4 inch into the soil.
5. Angelica needs to stratify or have a period of cold or warmth before germination, so let it go over the winter.
6. As the spring thaw occurs, begin applying regular moisture to the seedbed. You should see signs of germination as soon as the soil temperature begins to warm.

To sow indirectly, do this:

1. You can stratify the seeds before planting by placing them in a plastic bag with moist peat and sand and refrigerating for 21 to 60 days. Or you can plant in peat pots in the fall and leave the pots out over the winter uncovered.
2. Start seeds in peat pots that can be directly planted or torn away.
3. Make your planting medium with a mix of peat moss, perlite, and sand. Keep this moist.
4. When true leaves have formed and seedlings are sturdy, take them outside to harden off.
5. Plant the seedlings in the pots before they reach 4 inches and begin to establish that troublesome tap root.

Overwintering

Angelica self-seeds when it flowers and often dies when it does this. To keep your angelica in good shape over the winter, cut off flowers before they set seed or cut the plant down to the ground in the autumn for the winter.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

The plant is moderately attractive to the usual suspects in the garden, including aphids, spider mites, and leafminers. To remove these pests, use insecticidal oils or soaps, such as neem oil.

Though the plant likes moist soil, crown rot and root rot can cause problems if these fungal diseases appear during very wet conditions caused by overwatering or excessive rain. The plant will turn yellow, wilt, and die. As soon as you spot this happening, remove the dying plant and dispose of it so the spread of the disease slows down. Amend heavy soils that do not have good drainage to mitigate the problem though rot is tough to eradicate.