Growing Angelica

Angelica archangelica : Apiaceae / the umbelliferae family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
            S S S S    
              T T T T  
                P P P  

(Best months for growing Angelica in Australia - sub-tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 10°C and 25°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 45 cm apart
  • Harvest in approximately 18 months. Angelica archangelica has slightly dull leaves, not shiny..
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Any herbs that like damp, shady areas - mint, lemon balm
  • Angelica leaves

Angelica is a biennial herb-growing the first year and flowering the second. Angelica likes moist, rich soil that is slightly acid, growing best in semi-shade. It can be grown from seeds, but they must be sown within a few weeks otherwise they lose their viability. Angelica will self seed if seed heads are left on the plant. Young plants will die back in winter and will need mulching in frost-prone areas. Then they will grow again in spring and produce flowers.

NOTE: Angelica pachycarpa sold as an ornamental garden plant is not edible. It can be distinguished from Angelica archangelica as it has bright shiny leaves.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Angelica

The stems can be candied and used to decorate cakes and pastries.

Pick the stems in the second year.

Your comments and tips

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25 Aug 22, Nonie (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I live in an area which can get up to about 45•C in Summer, and as low as -7C with pretty heavy frost in winter. I was wondering whether Angelica can withstand these extremes please. Thank you, Nonie
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09 Apr 21, Leslie Peoples Jr. (USA - Zone 6b climate)
Where can I find angelica venenosa in Arkansas?
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19 Nov 19, Green Ankles (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Angelica is a very small plant and requires a lot of water however, my plant, Angelica, has stopped growing please give recommendations on how I can successfully grow angelica to an average size. Thank you.
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19 Nov 19, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Edible Angelica usually grows to about a metre high and spreads a bit. Make sure that you have the edible variety, not the one with shiny leaves. Regular watering should keep it growing through the Summer/ Autumn, then it will die down in Winter. Read the information here www.gardenate.com/plant/Angelica
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23 Mar 19, napo (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where can i get angelica seeds?
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24 Oct 17, Liz Shaw (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Where can I buy candied or preserved Angelica in South Africa????????
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31 Oct 17, Roy (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Good Luck with THAT one. I have been looking for more than a year without any success. You can import it from the UK BUT it is horrendously expensive and the shipping costs even more so AND to make matters worse, Customs are not too keen on having foodstuffs imported.
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19 Dec 16, Rhonda Crisp (Australia - temperate climate)
Could you tell me where to be able to buy candied angelica - it used to be available in health food shops and used for decorating cakes? I live in southern Queensland but would purchase online.
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25 Oct 16, thembi (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
HI how can I get angelica seeds in south africa
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05 Oct 16, Alison Paulin (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
I have seeds from autumn this year, if anyone would like to come and pick them up. Apparently they don't last too long, and it would be sad to waste them. The seeds that fell from the plant have made a bunch of seedlings, that are doing really well. Gorgeous plant! I'm in Cape Town.
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