An integral part of every monastery and cottage garden since the Middle Ages, angelica should not be missing in modern, natural plantings. The outstanding medicinal and herbal plant also impresses as a magnificent structure builder in creative green spaces. We have compiled answers to fundamental questions about the cultivation of Angelica for you here.

Angelica is said to have angelic healing powers

Table of Contents

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  1. Plant angelica properly
  2. care tips
  3. Which location is suitable?
  4. The right planting distance
  5. What soil does the plant need?
  6. What is the best planting time?
  7. When is flowering time?
  8. Properly cut angelica
  9. pour angelica
  10. Fertilize angelica properly
  11. hibernate
  12. multiply angelica
  13. Angelica in pot
  14. Is angelica poisonous?
  15. Angelica does not bloom
  16. How and when is angelica harvested?
  17. What are the characteristics of angelica?
  18. Beautiful varieties

    19. Plant angelica properly

    Plant Angelica in a sunny, nutrient-rich and fresh, moist location. No other umbellifers should have been cultivated here in the previous 4-5 years to counteract an accumulation of diseases and pests. While the root ball of the young plant is being soaked with water, prepare the soil so that it is fine and free of weeds or stones. The planting itself is completed in no time at all:

    • Dig a spacious planting pit to enrich the excavation with compost and horn shavings (€32.93).
    • Repot the young Angelica and gently pull the root ball apart with your hands
    • Plant the angelica while maintaining the previous planting depth and water generously

    A mulch layer of comfrey leaves, leaves or grass clippings makes a valuable contribution to the growth process. In dry weather, the freshly planted Angelica is watered regularly so that the roots take root quickly.

    care tips

    Already during planting, the focus is on a lush water and nutrient supply of angelica. These two aspects also function as the main pillars of professional cultivation in the further care program. Here’s how growth and flowering go as you want them to:

    • Thoroughly weed every few days between planting date and mid-July until foliage covers the ground
    • Young Angelica pinch multiple times for bushy, well-branched and compact growth
    • If there is no rain, water repeatedly and generously without causing waterlogging
    • Fertilize every 14 days from May until the end of the flowering period with compost, bark humus and comfrey manure

    Mulching regularly with grass clippings, nettle and comfrey leaves or leaves keeps the soil moist and warm for longer.

    Which location is suitable?

    In a sunny to semi-shady location, you will enjoy an impressive Angelica and bring in a rich harvest. In combination with fresh, moist soil, rich in nutrients and equipped with vital soil life, angelica proves its good reputation as a medicinal, spice and ornamental plant. Please consider crop rotation for umbellifers and only choose a location where no other member of this family has been in the previous 4-5 years.
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    The right planting distance

    Adjust the planting distance to the growth width and height, create a harmonious and seamless appearance of angelica in the bed. We have put together a brief overview of the planting distances for the most popular species so that the expansive Angelica can present itself to perfection:

    • Red angelica with a growth height of 80-100 cm: Planting distance 100 cm
    • Large angelica with a growth height of 100-150 cm: planting distance 150 cm
    • Real angelica with a growth height of 150-250 cm: Planting distance 200-250 cm

    What soil does the plant need?

    So that angelica can develop the enormous biomass, it needs a nutrient-rich, humus-rich and freshly moist soil. The sunnier the location, the more balanced the soil should be with water, without waterlogging occurring. Angelica therefore feels perfectly at home in the nutritious soil of a pond bank.

    What is the best planting time?

    A young plant in a container can be planted during the entire frost-free garden season. Angelica gets the best conditions for splendid growth when planted in sun-warmed soil in the months of August to October. Then you can look forward to the flower balls of the biennial plant next summer, and harvest aromatic leaves and rich stems.

    When is flowering time?

    Angelica species usually present their unaffected flowering in the second year of growth, only to then die off. Angelica (Angelica archangelica) starts with a flowering period from June to August. Magnificent specimens, such as the purple angelica (Angelica sylvestris), take a little time and bloom from July to September. The lateral flower umbels underline the impressive habit with greenish, white, pink or red sepals.

    Properly cut angelica

    Following her first and only bloom, Angelica goes into seed to gradually die off. If seeding in the garden is not desired, cut off the flower balls in good time. Otherwise, wait for this process to cut off angelica close to the ground. Harvest pruning begins well before flowering. The stems are nice and tender for candy if they are cut when the inflorescences sprout. Shortly before flowering, the leaves are at the zenith of their valuable content and are cut for use as medicinal and kitchen herbs.

    pour angelica

    Don't let angelica go thirsty, because drought stress can mean a premature end to the plant's life. On dry summer days, water as needed in the early morning hours and again in the late evening. The moisture content of the substrate should be checked daily in the bucket in order to water immediately when the surface has dried. If there is a frost in winter, give the plant a good sip of water on mild days.

    Fertilize angelica properly

    In order to develop the enormous biomass, the soil does not fully cover the high need for nutrients. Therefore, fertilize Angelica in the bed every 14 days from April/May until the end of the flowering period with compost and horn shavings. Since the plant is explicitly hungry for potassium, supplement the compost with compost manure. Weekly fertilizing with a liquid, organic preparation is recommended in large containers.

    hibernate

    Angelica is fully hardy. True angelica can easily withstand temperatures down to - 40 degrees Celsius. Decorative varieties still stand up to cold temperatures down to - 28 degrees. Therefore, no special precautions need to be taken in the bed. However, keep an eye on the weather for frost. If it is freezing cold without snowfall, the plant can suffer from drought stress. Therefore, water Angelica on mild days in winter.

    multiply angelica

    Before Angelica dies, she diligently takes care of a lot of offspring by means of seeding. Ideally, you should let nature take its course and later simply thin out too many seedlings. There is also the option of digging up seedlings from a height of 10-15 cm in order to place them in the desired location in the ground. Last but not least, sowing serves as a classic method of propagating Angelica. This is how you can grow behind glass from mid-February to early April:

    • Place the fresh seed in a bag of damp sand and seal
    • Store in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator for 4 to 6 weeks
    • Then sow in seed soil and cover with vermiculite
    • Keep constantly moist in the greenhouse at 25 to 30 degrees Celsius
    • After emergence, lower the temperature to 16 degrees Celsius

    Cultivation from the beginning of July by sowing is also possible if you aim to plant in August. In this case, however, the previous stratification cannot be dispensed with.

    Angelica in pot

    Caring for Angelica in a pot proves to be far more complex than in the bed. Since the plant requires water almost every day in summer and has to be fertilized regularly, only a few hobby gardeners opt for this version of the attitude. Choose a container that offers enough space for the mighty beet root. As a substrate, we recommend high-quality potting soil based on compost, which is filled over a drainage made of potsherds or grit (€46.95). To prevent wind throw, a suitably protected location should be chosen for the mighty Angelica. Last but not least, the additional effort for a successful overwintering speaks for a bed culture. So that the root ball does not freeze through in the exposed position of the pot, it should be wrapped in foil and placed on insulating material.

    Is angelica poisonous?

    Regardless of its highly acclaimed medicinal properties and the aromatic taste of its flowers, leaves, stems and roots, there is still a toxic hazard involved in tending and planting. If the skin comes into contact with the plant sap and is exposed to the sun at the same time, a phototoxic skin reaction is to be feared. Therefore, always wear gloves when handling angelica outdoors or in a sun-drenched kitchen.

    Angelica does not bloom

    Don't be surprised if angelica doesn't present its large ball flowers in the first year. The biennial plant concentrates on developing sufficient leaf mass in the first year. Only in the following year is the necessary plant energy available to blossom in white, pink or red. As a result, the plant dies after taking care of suitable offspring by self-seeding.

    How and when is angelica harvested?

    The general rule of thumb for harvesting Angelica is that once the plant is in flower, the quality of the leaves, stems, and roots suffer tremendously. Therefore, harvest angelica like this:

    • Harvest angelica stalks as soon as the inflorescence sprout in spring
    • Cut off the aromatic leaves just before flowering
    • The best time to harvest the roots is before flowering

    If you have the valuable seeds in your sights, wait for them to ripen and hold a paper bag under the mighty umbels. With vigorous shaking, the rich seed falls into it. When harvesting the roots, ensure that no more than 5 percent of the green parts of the plant mix with them to preserve the desired quality.

    What are the characteristics of angelica?

    Anyone looking for angelica in the wild should be familiar with its visual characteristics. Look for the following characteristics that clearly identify a plant as Angelica:

    • Large, ball-shaped umbels of greenish-white, pink, or red
    • Flowering time of Angelica from May to September
    • Mighty, hollow flower stalks up to 200 cm high
    • Leaves appear bi- or tripinnate, with a light green blade

    Get your nose involved in identifying angelica, as the flowers give off a pleasant honey scent. Break off a stalk and rub it between your gloved fingers, it smells of musk and oranges.
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    Beautiful varieties

    • Vicar's Mead (Angelica sylvestris): Premium strain with pink flowers and majestic stature; Growth height 90-120 cm
    • Solveig (Angelica archangelica): Real angelica scores with high healing properties and delicious taste; Growth height 250 cm
    • Angelica (Angelica giga): A magnificent specimen with dome-like flowers in rich red; Growth height up to 160 cm

Category:

Herbs