Andrographis paniculata, commonly known as King of Bitters or green chiretta, is an important medicinal herb native to South and Southeast Asia. The plant exhibits significant seed dormancy with a hard seed coat that typically inhibits germination. Pre-treatment with scarification and/or soaking is essential for successful propagation. With proper techniques, germination rates of 85-95% are achievable.
Before sowing
Seed dormancy is significant and requires pre-treatment. Best results: scarification plus soaking. Hot water treatment (50°C for 5 minutes) can improve germination to ~85%.
Sowing
What to expect
Tips
Seeds require light to germinate; do not cover with soil. Keep substrate consistently moist. Optimal germination temperature is 25°C; germination slows below 20°C. Seeds can germinate in 2-3 weeks under ideal conditions, though some sources report up to 6 months for untreated seeds. Plant prefers warm, humid conditions and does not tolerate temperatures below 8°C. Transplant seedlings when they reach 6cm height with 3-4 leaves.
Sources: PFAF Plant Database, Journal of Tropical Crop Science (2023), International Journal of Agronomy (2023), Kokopelli Seeds, Floral Encounters, Strictly Medicinal Seeds, Anuna Nursery, The Flower Wiki
