Description:

An interesting, fast growing, bushy herb with mushroom scented foliage; deep green aromatic foliage can be cooked or eaten fresh; mushroom flavor is lighter when uncooked and can be added to salads or sandwiches; pungent mushroom flavor when cooked

Edible Qualities

Mushroom Plant is a perennial herb that is commonly grown for its edible qualities. The fragrant oval green leaves can be harvested at any time in the season. The leaves have a distinctive taste with a crisp texture and an unusual fragrance.

The leaves are most often used in the following ways:

• Fresh Eating
• Cooking
• Seasoning

Features & Attributes

Mushroom Plant's fragrant oval leaves remain green in color throughout the season on a plant with an upright spreading habit of growth.

This is an herbaceous perennial herb with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition. This is a high maintenance plant that will require regular care and upkeep, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Aside from its primary use as an edible, Mushroom Plant is sutiable for the following landscape applications;

• General Garden Use
• Herb Gardens
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Mushroom Plant will grow to be about 30 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 30 inches. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 1 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant is typically grown in a designated herb garden. It does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. This plant does not require much in the way of fertilizing once established. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America.

Mushroom Plant is a good choice for the edible garden, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.