Angelica [Angelica archangelica]

Angelica is a mostly biennial, diverse tea, spice and medicinal plant and is native throughout Eurasia and is one of the largest perennials in the Central European flora. This hardy species has been firmly established and highly valued as a medicinal herb in folk medicine and naturopathy for centuries. The plants are often found wild in cooler parts of temperate latitudes up to the subarctic of Scandinavia and Russia, but also thrive in warm climates. In ancient times it was used in popular belief to ward off plague, poisons and spells. The robust and highly aromatic plants exude a sweet aromatic scent that attracts numerous pollinating insects. The taste is very spicy, slightly sweet, slightly spicy and bitter. The leaves are mainly used as a tea, bath additive or as a spice in mint sauces and mayonnaise. Stems can be candied and the dried roots can be used as an admixture for scented bowls. Valuable active ingredients can be extracted from the root to help, for example, with disorders of the digestive tract or with sleep and rheumatic complaints. A species for damp locations.

General information
Plant family: Apiaceae
Life cycle: Biennial
Days to harvest: 120 days
Plant height approx.: 250 cm
Root type: Deep rooter
Nutrient requirements: Medium eater
Water requirements: High
Winter hardiness: Up to -40 °C
Location: Sunny until semi shady
Soil: Permeable, moist, loamy, humus

pH value: 6,5 to 7,5

Sowing and planting information
Germ type: Dark and cold germinator
Sowing depth: 1-2 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 3-5 °C
Germination time: 7-30 days
Plant and row spacing: 75x100 cm

Optimal mixed culture: Pea
Unfavorable mixed culture: -

Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
We recommend pre-cultivation in small pots from January to March and in autumn from November to December with artificial stratification.

Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
We recommend pre-cultivation in small pots from January to March and in autumn from August to September.

General
When pre-cultivating, sow the seeds in small pots and let the seedlings grow to the first visible angelica leaves. Then plant the pregrown plants from the pots directly into the open field. The seedlings are planted in the bed from the 2nd pair of leaves after the cotyledons.
Angelica prefers a sunny location with permeable, moist, nutrient-rich, humus-rich and loamy soil. Prepare the soil with seasoned animal manure. Avoid waterlogging.

Additional tips
The consumption of the herb is not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women, and for everyone else only in small doses. To stratify, store the seeds in moist sand or soil in the refrigerator for 6 weeks. When direct sowing, the seeds should be sown before frost. In the first year the plant produces strong foliage and in the second year it produces flowers. The angelica perennials usually live for 2 years and die after flowering, but under favorable conditions they can live up to 4 years. With this species it can happen that the seeds germinate in the second year if they are sown too late. In order to obtain the highest content of ingredients, the roots are dug up and cleaned shortly before flowering. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil, we recommend additional incorporation of biochar and primary rock powder.

Type of propagation
It spreads via seeds.

Plant care
Avoid drying out the plants. Regular watering is necessary for stable growth. Due to the slow young growth of the plants, weed surrounding herbs after the seeds have emerged. Cut back the shoot tips several times in the young stage to ensure bushy growth. Fertilize with plant manure every 6 months from the 2nd year onwards.

Germination ability of seeds: 1-2 years

Other Names
Botanical names: Angelica archangelica
English names: Angelica, Garden Angelica, Norwegian Angelica
German names: Engelwurz, Angelikawurzel, Engelbrustwurz, Erzengelwurz, Heiliggeistwurzel 
Portuguese names: Angélica
Spanish names: Angélica
French names: Angélica