Secrets to Growing Rhodiola

The world demand for Rhodiola rosea is increasing and the supply of wild-harvested root is shrinking.   Josef Brinckmann suggests that sustainable cultivation is potentially a good alternative (Brinckmann, 2021).  One of the goals of Rhodiola Growers of Canada is to promote and support sustainable cultivation of this valuable medicinal herb.  Please read on to learn our secrets for successful growing.

For those who have thought that they would like to try growing Rhodiola rosea, here are some growing tips from published articles and books.

• Climate and environment – Native colonies of Rhodiola rosea grow specifically in the Northern Hemisphere in sub-arctic and arctic climates (Brinckmann 2021).  On the other hand, it has been cultivated as far south as the southern UK with limited success (Peschel 2016). 
  • A cold climate is important, and limited exposure to hot and dry weather is essential (Ampong-Nyarko)
  • All areas where Rhodiola rosea grows in the wild receive ample precipitation and have well-drained soils.  Although Rhodiola rosea is a succulent, and is therefore considered to be drought-tolerant, the native colonies do not grow in dry areas. (Galambosi)

• Keep it weed-free – Rhodiola rosea does not compete well with any weeds.  Especially when the plant is small, it will limit its growth and allow other more invasive plants to crowd in and take up all available space. (Ampong-Nyarko)

• Rhodiola rosea is slow growing.  Rhodiola starts from a minute-sized seed and takes time to establish its root system.  After the first year, the plant maybe large enough to move out of the nursery.  When it is transplanted into its more permanent home, it should be large enough that it can distinguished from the weeds (Ampong-Nyarko).  Some plants require two years in the nursery.  In my opinion, if the plant takes two years of handling in the nursery, it is probably an under-performer and is uneconomic to cultivate.

• Rhodiola rosea is a perennial plant, and will require at least 5 growing seasons to mature and develop beneficial concentrations of the secondary metabolites – Rosin, Rosarin, Rosavin, and Salidroside.  If all of the above growing criteria are satisfied, the plant should be large enough within 5 years to yield a harvestable root mass (Ampong-Nyarko).

Rhodiola rosea is a labor-intensive crop and is not a good fit for many locations or individuals.  On the other hand, we feel that sustainable and economically-feasible cultivation is essential to maintaining and improving the status of endangered wild colonies and to making this valuable medicinal herb accessible to many.

The Rhodiola Growers of Canada would like to assist others who are interested in growing Rhodiola rosea as a crop.  Please connect with us for further information.   

An excellent resource for learning more about Rhodiola rosea is the book, Rhodiola rosea,  written by Drs. Alain Cuerrier and Kwesi Ampong-Nyarko.