Dong Quai Plant Care
Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Angelica sinensis, commonly known as dong quai or female ginseng, is a herb belonging to the family Apiaceae, indigenous to China. A.
Every 4–7 days
Partial shade to full sun
50–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Dong Quai?
Water Dong Quai every 4–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial shade to full sun. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Dong Quai Native To?
What Is the Dong Quai?
Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis) belongs to the Apiaceae family within the Angelica genus. Dong Quai is native to China. Dong Quai is also known as Chinese Angelica, Female Ginseng, Angelica.
Dong Quai displays a tall, upright biennial growth habit, reaching up to 5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Dong Quai produces large umbels of tiny white or greenish-white flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Dong Quai?
Angelica sinensis requires watering every 4–7 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 4–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Dong Quai Need?
Dong Quai thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Dong Quai Prefer?
Angelica sinensis grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Dong Quai prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Dong Quai?
Rich, moist soil with good drainage. Good drainage is essential for Dong Quai to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Dong Quai?
Feed Dong Quai every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Dong Quai?
Repot every 1-2 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Dong Quai?
Dong Quai can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to dahurian angelica plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Dong Quai Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Dong Quai, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Dong Quai?
Dong Quai is susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Dong Quai Need?
Dong Quai grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Dong Quai is native to China. In cooler regions, grow Dong Quai as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Dong Quai is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Angelica genus — compare its care with other Angelica species on PlantoScan.
Angelica is part of the Apiaceae plant family — browse all Apiaceae genera and species.
Dong Quai thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Angelica Species
Other Angelica species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, family Apiaceae (first published in Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 29: 500 (1900)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Dong Quai, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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