What States Is It Legal To Grow Ginseng In?

Ginseng, a notable botanical treasure, thrives in various regions across the United States. Its distribution spans a vast expanse in Eastern North America, encompassing areas from Quebec province in Canada all the way to the state of Minnesota in the northern reaches and extending southward to encompass regions as far-reaching as Georgia and Oklahoma. While ginseng can be found in several parts of this vast territory, it primarily flourishes in the mountainous landscapes of North Carolina, where it finds an ideal habitat. Additionally, scattered populations of ginseng can be encountered in the western piedmont region of North Carolina, and there are even a few isolated occurrences in the coastal plain areas, although less commonly observed. This broad distribution across diverse landscapes reflects the adaptability and resilience of this remarkable plant in the United States.

Can ginseng cultivation thrive in the United States? While ginseng is predominantly associated with mountainous regions, it surprisingly extends its growth range across various parts of the country. From the northern reaches of Loudon County to the eastern expanses encompassing the Piedmont region, and further eastward to include Cumberland and Mecklenburg Counties, ginseng has shown its adaptability. To gain a clearer picture of ginseng’s documented growth areas within the state, please refer to Figure 1, which provides a visual representation.