![]() Never plant mandrake in areas where children play or in food gardens where it may be mistaken for an edible plant. ![]() During that time, keep the soil well watered and feed the plants annually with a shovelful of compost. It takes about two years for the plant to become established and set fruit. Mandrake needs full sun or partial shade. ![]() Growing mandrake in deep, rich soil is easy, however, the roots will rot in poorly drained or clay soil. Mandrake is hardy in USDA zones 6 through 8. It should only be used under professional supervision. Like many members of the Nightshade family, mandrake is poisonous. Several ancient spiritual texts mention the properties of mandrake and it is still used today in contemporary pagan traditions such as Wicca and Odinism. This resemblance and the fact that eating parts of the plant brings on hallucinations have resulted in a rich tradition in folklore and the occult. Mandrake roots can grow up to 4 feet (1 m.) long and sometimes bear a remarkable resemblance to a human figure. In spring, flowers bloom at the center of the plant. They grow up to 16 inches (41 cm.) long, but lie flat against the ground, so the plant only reaches a height of 2 to 6 inches (5-15 cm.). Wrinkled and crispy mandrake foliage might remind you of tobacco leaves. Keep reading for more mandrake information. Mandrake plants bloom in spring with lovely blue and white blossoms, and in late summer the plants produce attractive (but inedible) red-orange berries. Long absent from American ornamental gardens, mandrake ( Mandragora officinarum), also called Satan’s apple, is making a comeback, thanks in part to the Harry Potter books and movies.
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