Seeds of Psyllium, isabgol (Plantago ovata)
Psyllium from seed
Isabgol is a small annual plantain with narrow leaves and dense, upright flower spikes. Its small translucent seeds, wrapped in a husk, are the psyllium of the world market, and India's dry north-west is its main growing region. In the garden it is a neat, unusual plant for a sunny, dry bed.
Sowing
on the surface or barely covered
Germination
best at about 20 °C
Soil
fine, sandy loam, never waterlogged
Seed
small, translucent
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How to sow
- Make a fine, firm seedbed in sandy loam.
- Mix the seed with sieved soil so you can sow thinly, scatter it on the surface or give the lightest cover, and water gently: deep sowing reduces emergence.
- Germination is best at around 20 °C.
- Thin sowing also helps keep downy mildew away.
Growing in Europe
Psyllium likes it dry. Sow in a sunny, free-draining bed in spring and water only when the soil is dry; waterlogging means failure. It needs a dry spell while the seed ripens, so a wet summer can be difficult. Ripe spikes shed their seed easily, so cut them early in the morning while they are still damp with dew.
Questions
How deep should psyllium seeds be sown?
On the surface or barely covered. Deep sowing reduces emergence.
Does psyllium tolerate wet weather?
Poorly. It needs good drainage and a dry spell while the seed ripens.
When do I harvest isabgol seed?
When the spikes ripen; cut them early in the morning to stop the seed shattering.