Ginseng:
Seeds need to be stratified. After collecting the fruit in autumn, dig a hole in a well-drained, shady area about 30cm deep and 1 metre wide. Line the sides and bottom with rocks or bricks. Line the bottom with 2cm sand, then 2cm of seeds, then another layer of sand. Repeat layers as required, ending with sand, and cover the whole with a sheet of plywood. Leave for up to 18 months, but at least 90 days, keeping them cold and moist. Plant seeds or roots in autumn or winter. Plant them about 5-10mm deep, and cover with leaf mulch about 2cm thick. Do not allow the seeds to dry out. Germination may take a year or more. Plant produces seed when the plant has grown 2 prongs (or leaves), at about 3-4 years. The plant will add a third prong when 5-9 years old. Grows best in cool, shaded hardwood forests. The plant lies dormant for some years and does not grow new tops every year. One-year-old plants have 3 leaflets, resembling a strawberry plant. In the second year it usually has 5 leaflets, and in the following years it begins to branch out with 2, 3 or 4 prongs with 3-5 leaflets in each prong. Prefers a soil with pH 5.0-6.5.

St. John's Wort:
Propagate by seed sown in spring in a sandy medium, runners in autumn, softwood cuttings in late spring or early summer, or division in spring. Ideal temperature for seeds is 20C, and germination is slow. Seeds should be just barely covered. They are slow and irregular to germination and may take from 30-90 days. Water seeds once or twice a day until they germinate, then transplant to the garden. Will grow in most well-drained soils and full sun or dappled shade. Succeeds in dry soils. It is a short-lived plant, although it can grow rapidly, and should be replaced every 5-6 years. Rarely needs pruning, but deadwood should be removed in spring if necessary.

NB. St. John's Wort is a declared noxious weeds in many areas. Check with your local authorities to see if you aren't breaking any laws by growing it.

Yes do be careful and check with your coutny extention office on the SJW...plants spread prolifically by seed and underground rhizomes.

Vera

Here is a link that might be useful: Common St. John's Wort

I recently bought a St Johns Wort Plant....small starter.....would like to keep it indoors.....any ideas on Growing in containers or winter dormancy?.....Any and all Advice would be greatly appreciated....Gert in Michigan...