Bai Tou Weng Seeds – Chinese Pulsatilla (Pulsatilla chinensis), TCM Herb & Spring Perennial

“White-Haired Old Man” — A Prized TCM Herb and Charming Spring Perennial

Pulsatilla chinensis — known in Traditional Chinese Medicine as Bai Tou Weng (White-Haired Old Man) — is one of the 50 foundational herbs in TCM and a stunning spring ephemeral perennial. Native to China, eastern Russia, and North Korea, its small, fuzzy plants produce beautiful purple flowers in early spring, followed by the plant’s most distinctive feature: slender, whitish-silver, tufted seed heads that look like the flowing hair of a wise elder. Medicinally, the root is traditionally decocted to address gastrointestinal infections and fever, with active research ongoing into its anti-cancer properties (protoanemonin compound). A rare and meaningful addition to any specialty herb garden.

Highlights

• One of the 50 key herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Charming purple spring flowers; ornamental silver tufted seed heads
• Spring ephemeral perennial — native to China, Russia, North Korea
• Traditional use: root decocted for gastrointestinal infections and fever
• Researched for anti-cancer properties (protoanemonin compound)

Growing Guide

• Scarification: Soak in water for 24 hours before sowing
• Stratification: Cold stratify for 60 days after soaking
• Sow: 1/16" deep; tamp the soil firmly; mulch the seed bed
• Germination: Tends to be slow; germinates faster in warmer temperatures
• Location: Well-drained soil in a sunny to partly shaded position