Mandrake (Mandragora officinarum) is one of the most famous plants in history. Countless stories surround its human-shaped root, which was said to scream when pulled from the ground. As a garden plant, mandrake is mostly a patience project: the seed germinates slowly and erratically, the plant follows a rhythm you may not be used to, and it grows a long taproot. In this guide you'll learn how to grow mandrake from seed, how to care for it and why you need to handle it with care.
Curious about the role mandrake played in medicine of the past? Read mandrake as a medieval anaesthetic.
What is mandrake?
Mandrake belongs to the nightshade family (Solanaceae), alongside tomato, potato and deadly nightshade. It's native to the Mediterranean, including Italy and the Balkans, where it grows in deep, sandy, chalky soil, often in partial shade.
Above ground you'll see hardly any stem. The plant forms a flat rosette of large, wrinkled, dark green leaves, 30 to 60 cm (1 to 2 ft) across. In spring, bell-shaped flowers in greenish white to pale violet appear in the centre of the rosette. They're followed by round, yellow-orange berries with a strong scent. Below ground grows a thick, often forked taproot that can reach more than a metre (3 ft) long. That shape explains the human-like legends.
How to recognise mandrake
- A low rosette lying right on the ground, with no real stem.
- Large, oval, strongly wrinkled leaves with a wavy edge.
- Bell-shaped flowers with five lobes, in the middle of the rosette.
- Round berries that turn from green to yellow or orange.
| Plant | Features | Difference from mandrake |
|---|---|---|
| Mandragora officinarum (mandrake) | Greenish-white to pale violet flowers in spring | The species in this guide |
| Mandragora autumnalis (autumn mandrake) | Purple flowers in autumn, orange fruit | Closely related, flowers in a different season |
| Borage (Borago officinalis) | Hairy leaves, blue star-shaped flowers | An edible herb. Young mandrake leaves have been mistaken for it in the past, causing poisonings |
| Chard or spinach | Smooth, glossy leaves on a stalk | A vegetable. Mandrake leaves are rougher and lie flat on the ground |
Mandrake's yearly rhythm
Mandrake grows differently from most garden plants. It follows a Mediterranean climate of wet winters and hot, dry summers.
| Period | What the plant does | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn and winter | New leaves emerge | Water moderately, protect from hard frost |
| Spring | Flowers, then sets fruit | Water when the soil feels dry |
| Summer | Leaves die back, the plant rests | Barely water, the root stays alive |
So don't panic if your plant wilts in June or July. That's not disease, it's summer dormancy. Whatever you do, don't throw it away.
Sowing mandrake in 6 steps
- Soak the seed. Soak dried seeds in lukewarm water for one to two days, changing the water in between.
- Give a cold treatment. Mix the seeds with moist sand in a sealed bag and keep them in the fridge for one to three months. This mimics winter and greatly improves germination. You can also sow outdoors in autumn and let nature do the work.
- Sow in a deep pot. Use a loose, sandy mix and sow the seeds about 1 cm (½ in) deep. Choose a deep pot straight away, as the taproot heads downwards fast.
- Keep it warm and bright. After the cold period, the seeds germinate best at around 20 to 24 °C (68 to 75 °F), in a bright spot.
- Keep the soil evenly moist. Not soaking wet, or the seed may rot.
- Be patient. Fresh, well-treated seed sometimes sprouts within a few weeks. Older seed can take months, and not every seed comes up. Don't give up on a seed pot too soon.
Caring for seedlings and young plants
- Pot: deep and roomy. A tall pot at least 30 cm (12 in) deep is no luxury.
- Soil: loose, sandy and free-draining, neutral to slightly chalky. Mix regular potting soil with coarse sand or fine grit. Avoid heavy clay.
- Light: sun or light partial shade. In a very hot summer, a little shade is better.
- Water: keep seedlings evenly moist. Only water mature plants once the soil is dry a few centimetres down.
- Repotting: as little as possible. The taproot is sensitive. If you must, do it in spring while the plant is growing, not during summer dormancy.
- Feeding: a layer of compost or a light organic feed each spring is plenty.
Seed-grown mandrakes usually flower and fruit after two years or more. A plant can live for decades and grows larger every year.
In the ground or in a pot?
Mandrake tolerates light frost, but cold and wet together are dangerous for the root. In cooler climates it does best in a deep pot that you move somewhere frost-free and dry in harsh winters, or in a sheltered, free-draining spot in the garden with a layer of mulch on top. Ideally, don't grow it among edible plants in the vegetable garden, to avoid mix-ups.
Common mistakes
- Sowing without a cold treatment: the seed often won't germinate at all, or only after months.
- A pot that's too shallow: the taproot curls up and the plant struggles.
- Panicking in summer: dying leaves in June or July are normal summer dormancy.
- Too much water during dormancy: the root can rot.
- Repotting often: every bit of damage to the taproot costs the plant a season.
Safety: mandrake is poisonous
Every part of the plant is poisonous. Mandrake contains tropane alkaloids such as hyoscyamine and scopolamine, the same group of compounds found in deadly nightshade and thorn apple. Swallowing it can cause a dry mouth, blurred vision, a racing heart, confusion and hallucinations, and can be life-threatening.
- Wear gloves when handling the root and wash your hands afterwards.
- Keep the plant, berries and seeds out of reach of children and pets.
- Don't grow mandrake among leafy greens or herbs that you eat.
- Symptoms after contact or ingestion? Call a doctor or emergency services (112 in Europe, 911 in the US).
Avalon sells the seeds for growing and collecting, not for consumption, and doesn't give usage advice. Our products are for adults aged 18 and over only.
Is it legal to grow mandrake?
In the Netherlands and most European countries, you can grow mandrake freely as an ornamental and collector's plant. Always check the rules where you live. That responsibility is yours.
Frequently asked questions
How long does mandrake seed take to germinate?
It varies hugely. Fresh seed given a cold treatment sometimes sprouts within a few weeks. Dried or older seed can take months.
Why is my mandrake dying in summer?
It's probably not dying but going dormant. The leaves die back, and in autumn the plant regrows from its root.
How deep should the pot be?
As deep as you can manage. At least 30 cm (12 in), and more for older plants. The taproot can eventually grow longer than a metre.
When does mandrake flower?
Mandragora officinarum flowers in spring. From seed it usually takes at least two years before the first flowers and berries appear.
Are mandrake berries edible?
No. Treat the whole plant, berries included, as poisonous.
Where can I buy mandrake seeds?
You'll find Mandragora officinarum seeds in our exotic seeds category. Fancy another grow-from-seed project? Read how to grow Hawaiian baby woodrose from seed.
Sources: Pacific Bulb Society (Mandragora), Gardener's Path, Strictly Medicinal Seeds, Cases Journal (mandrake poisoning).
