Saussurea costus Seeds | Costus Root
LATIN NAME: Saussurea costus
COMMON NAME: Costus Root
Plant Profile
Saussurea costus, better known as Costus Root, is an upright perennial in the daisy family. Costus root is a plant of high mountains with a heavy weight of history. Thick, aromatic root has a very long record of use in old practice of the East, and plant remains a steady subject of studies of traditional remedies. It is a plant of cool, sunny, well-drained ground. When it flowers, local bees and other insects make good use of it. Each of these traits is modest on its own; together they make a garden-worthy plant.
Science & Biotechnology
As part of the daisy family, Saussurea costus contributes to research on plant classification and adaptation, while nurseries and gardeners continue to trial it for cultivation. Costus root has a long and particular record in plant science, studied for round heads of purple flowers and thick, aromatic root. For practical purposes the message is encouraging: generations of cultivation have produced plants of predictable, well-mannered garden character.
Uses & Benefits
Gardeners value Costus Root for its ornamental character, and the plant also fits naturally into herb, vegetable and cutting gardens. Costus root carries a heavy load of history in practice and the study. Thick, aromatic root has a very long record of use in old practice of the East, and it remains a steady subject of work on traditional remedies and aromatic principles. Round heads of purple to blackish-blue flowers are also a fine sight of summer border, drawing bees of high meadows, and stout, bold plant is an easy, generous presence of sunny garden. Mature plants need little attention in a well-chosen position.
Snow lotus of the high Himalaya, Xue Lian Hua, is a legendary Chinese tonic for cold-damp pain and vitality, its rarity driving cultivation research; costus root, Mu Xiang, its lowland cousin, is a major qi-moving digestive herb.
Growing from Seed
Starting Costus Root from seed is simple and satisfying. Sow on the surface of a gritty, well-drained mix, cover lightly with fine compost, and maintain gentle, even moisture in a sunny position. Once the seedlings have made true leaves, pot them on individually and plant out when they are sturdy and conditions are right.
Our Take
Being an upright perennial, it asks for a permanent spot and repays it yearly. Once the young plants are away, there is little left to do but watch them grow.
Related Reading
Gardeners who grow Costus Root often pair it with these related subjects: