How to Grow Hing Plant | Growing Asafoetida

Learn How to Grow Hing Plant with the help of this detailed article, and include this flavorful spice in your garden.

Asafetida, or Asafoetida (Ferula foetida), has been cultivated and harvested for many centuries. This plant has garnered two opposing monikers, “Food of the Gods” and “Devil’s Dung.”

This plant originates from Afghanistan and eastern Persia, which is now Iran. It has a wide range of uses, including culinary and medicinal applications, such as a brain stimulant, laxative, and effective respiratory medicine. Asafetida grows naturally in sandy, well-drained soils and was first discovered by Western botanists in the Aral Desert. However, people have been cultivating Asafetida plants since the 12th century.

It can reach heights of 6 to 10 feet. It features several sheathed petioles and foliage that resembles parsley. The flowers are similar to those of the parsley family, forming large umbels of tiny, pale green-yellow blooms that eventually transform into flat, oval fruits. As a monocarpic plant, Asafetida takes several years to flower and then dies after flowering.

Asafoetida is an annual plant in USDA Growing Zones 3-8 and a perennial in Zones 9-11. It is native to hot regions of the world and cannot tolerate cold temperatures.

When growing Asafoetida, it’s important to aim for a soil pH level between 6.5 to 7.5. Well-draining soil is essential for this plant to thrive, and most soil types will suffice, except for clay soils.

Asafetida seeds can be difficult to find. However, you can purchase viable seeds from online retailers.

For successful growth, it is recommended to sow the seeds directly into the garden during early spring.

Note: To enhance germination rates, it’s recommended to expose the seeds to cold and