Withania
Withania somnifera
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Canary Is., Cape Verde, Chad, China, Cyprus, Djibouti, DR Congo, East Aegean Is., Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Greece, Gulf States, India, Iran, Kenya, Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, Lesotho, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Rwanda, Sardegna, Saudi Arabia, Sicilia, Sinai, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan-South Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Türkiye, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe
SAplants,Roger Culos,Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz,Cliff (www.flickr.com) from I now live in Arlington, VA (Outside Washington DC), USA,Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz,Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz,botaneek,Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova,botaneek,Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova,Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova,Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Solanaceae
- Genus:
- Withania
- Species:
- Withania somnifera
- USDA Symbol:
- WISO
Growth Characteristics
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, green
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from rootstock after fire or cutting. Common in disturbed and fire-prone arid regions.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to arid regions, prefers dry conditions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily at 20-25°C without pretreatment. Light is not required for germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI