RICHMOND — Virginia’s ginseng harvest season opens Sept. 1 and runs through Dec. 31, and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) is reminding harvesters to follow state and federal rules protecting the threatened plant.
American ginseng is a slow-growing, shade-loving perennial found primarily in western and southwestern Virginia. Because of its high value and slow growth, wild ginseng is regulated under state law and international treaty. VDACS oversees harvest and sales in the Commonwealth.
Key regulations for wild ginseng:
- Harvest season: Sept. 1–Dec. 31 only. No harvest Jan. 1–Aug. 31.
- Plant maturity: Do not harvest plants younger than five years, with fewer than four stem scars on the rhizome, or fewer than three prongs.
- Reseeding: Harvesters must plant the seeds from each harvested plant at the harvest site at the time of harvest.
Ginseng collection is prohibited on most public lands, including state and national parks and forests. Where allowed, a permit is required. Collecting any portion of the plant from federal land is prohibited and can result in fines up to $5,000, up to six months in jail, or both. Violating Virginia’s harvest rules is punishable by up to 12 months in jail, up to a $2,500 fine, or both.
Rules do not apply to wild ginseng harvested on one’s own land. Harvesting on private property requires the owner’s written permission, which should be carried during harvest. Landowners are encouraged to follow the same size/age and reseeding guidelines to help sustain the species.
Anyone shipping or transporting eight ounces or more of Virginia ginseng in a calendar year must have it certified by VDACS. Buyers or those accepting ginseng to sell must be licensed by VDACS. In 2024, Virginia reported about 882 pounds of wild ginseng harvested, valued at roughly $450,000. It takes 250–300 roots to make one pound.
More information and application details are available at vdacs.virginia.gov/plant-industry-services-ginseng.shtml or by contacting State Apiarist Keith Tignor at 804-786-8938 or [email protected].
Information from a release. Edited by Dan McDermott.
