Witch Hazel is a small tree or large shrub that grows to 15 to 20 feet so it really isn't an herb. It grows in zones 3 to 8, so your zone 9 may have summers that are too warm for it. It normally grows in areas with cool winters during which it is dormant.

Seeds should be cold, moist stratified (stored in moist vermiculite in a baggie in the fridge or planted in seed tray and stored in fridge) for 120 days. Plant baggie seeds after stratification, or bring the planted seed tray into the warm and they should germinate.

Here is a link that might be useful:

Yes, where do you live? If you live in a California zone 9, you might have trouble, I've been hearing that our winters aren't cold enough to get them to bloom well... but I am not speaking from experience as I wanted to try one too... but hey, why not try it? I don't see any reason not to try it.

Oh well,

I guess I should abandon my idea of growing witch hazel. Where I'm at it's a little too warm and I don't think I'll do the refridgeration thing either. Upon inspecting my fridge looks to be a little too full as it is. I guess I'll post on the seed forum in case anyone might trade me for it.

Thank you for your help.