How to Store Ginseng Root and How Long It Keeps

Last updated October 31, 2026

Keep dried ginseng root, slices, powder and tea bags sealed in a cool, dry place away from moisture and direct sunlight. Keep fresh root in the refrigerator, where it keeps 2 to 3 weeks, or freeze it whole for up to about 6 months. This page covers each form and a large order, from the Heil family farm in Edgar, Wisconsin.

Restock from the farm:

How to store each form

Form	Where and how	How long
Dried whole roots	Keep the bag sealed in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Open one bag at a time.	Dried roots keep well for many months stored this way.
Slices, powder and tea bags	Keep the pouch or box sealed in a cool, dry place away from moisture and direct sunlight.	Follow any storage directions on the package.
Fresh roots, in the refrigerator	Refrigerate as soon as they arrive, wrapped loosely in a paper towel in a closed bag in the crisper drawer (34 to 39°F). Replace the towel if it gets wet. Do not wash them until you are ready to use them.	2 to 3 weeks.
Fresh roots, in the freezer	Freeze whole roots in a sealed freezer bag.	Up to about 6 months.
Fresh roots, dried at home	Slice the roots thin and let them dry fully in a warm, airy spot out of direct sun, then store them sealed as dried root.	As for dried roots above.

Storing a bulk order

Dried roots: our age-graded dried roots come as individual 1 lb pouches, each with its own harvest-lot code. Keep them sealed, open one at a time, and keep the rest in a cool, dry place away from sunlight.
Fresh roots: put the whole order in the refrigerator on arrival. Freeze whole roots in a sealed freezer bag for up to about 6 months, or slice and dry them.
Sharing: a 1 lb pouch can go to another household as it is.

Ordering more than a few pounds? Read the bulk guide or see today's price per pound.

What one pound makes

Our soup guide gives a starting amount of about 1/3 oz (10 g) of dried slices for 6 cups (1.5 liters) of water. A 16 oz pouch holds 16 oz, so at that amount one pound covers about 48 pots of soup (16 divided by 1/3). Start with a little, adjust to taste, and follow the package directions.

Questions about storing ginseng

How should I store dried ginseng root?

Keep it sealed in a cool, dry place away from moisture and direct sunlight, and open one bag at a time. Keep moisture out between uses.

Does dried ginseng expire?

Kept sealed in a cool, dry place away from sunlight, dried roots keep well for many months. Follow any storage directions on the package.

How long do fresh ginseng roots last?

About 2 to 3 weeks in the refrigerator (34 to 39°F), wrapped loosely in a paper towel in a closed bag (replace the towel if it gets wet), or up to about 6 months frozen whole in a sealed freezer bag.

Can I freeze fresh ginseng?

Yes. Freeze whole roots in a sealed freezer bag for up to about 6 months.

Can I dry fresh ginseng at home?

Yes. Slice the roots thin and let them dry fully in a warm, airy spot out of direct sun before storing them sealed.

Should I wash ginseng before I store it?

Not fresh roots. Do not wash them until you are ready to use them. Dried roots are soaked and rinsed just before you slice them for tea.

How do I store a 10 lb order?

Dried roots arrive as ten 1 lb pouches: keep them sealed and open one at a time. A fresh order goes in the refrigerator on arrival, and you can freeze whole roots in sealed bags or slice and dry them.