Ginkgo
银杏 Ginkgo biloba · Ginkgoaceae
A long-lived tree with three different harvests in one plant: leaves for drying, female fruit to avoid, and seeds that are not an edible nut.
Leaf, fruit, seed
Ginkgo is three different plants in one, depending on what you harvest. The leaf is the part this site covers: gathered in autumn before it drops. The female fruit is fleshy and foul-smelling, and the seed inside is toxic, especially to children (NCCIH). A male cultivar avoids the fruit entirely.
This is a tree for the long term, not a quick herb crop. It is slow to establish, can live for centuries, and needs room for its mature crown. Plant a named male cultivar, water it for the first few years, and choose the site as if the tree will outlive the garden.
| Part | What it is | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Leaf | Fan-shaped, turns gold in autumn | Harvest before leaf drop; dry |
| Female fruit | Fleshy, foul-smelling seed coat | Avoid; choose a male cultivar |
| Seed | Hard kernel inside the fruit | Not an edible nut; toxic |
| Tree | Long-lived, 15–30 m | Plant for the next generation |
Growing it
PFAF gives USDA zone 3–8 and describes ginkgo as a large deciduous tree, tolerant of pollution and a range of soils. It needs full sun and room to grow. It is slow to establish, so prepare a generous planting hole, keep grass away from the trunk, and water in dry spells for the first few years.
Plant a named male cultivar to avoid the messy, unpleasant-smelling fruit of female trees. Pruning is minimal: remove dead or crossing branches in winter. Do not expect a harvest from a young tree; the leaf crop comes from a mature canopy.
Harvest and drying
Harvest leaves in autumn while they are still green and before they drop, from low branches or pruned wood. Do not strip a young tree. A mature tree can spare a modest amount, but the tree's health comes first.
Dry the leaves in a single layer in a dark, airy place, turning them once. They dry quickly and should keep a greenish colour. Store in an airtight jar away from light. The seeds are not a garden harvest: treat them as toxic.
- Harvest green leaves before they drop.
- Take only a modest amount from low branches.
- Dry in a single layer, in the dark.
- Store airtight; keep seeds out of reach.
Identifying it
Ginkgo leaves are unmistakable: fan-shaped, often notched at the top, with parallel veins. The tree is deciduous and turns gold in autumn. Female trees produce round, fleshy, foul-smelling fruit containing a hard seed.
There is no common lookalike among temperate trees, but the seed is often confused with an edible nut. It is not. The seed coat and kernel contain toxic compounds and should not be eaten.
Traditional context
Ginkgo leaf extracts are among the most studied herbal products in the world, and the tree has a long cultural history in China and Japan. The leaf and the seed are different materials with different risks; the seed is toxic.
NCCIH notes that ginkgo leaf extract may increase bleeding risk with anticoagulants and may be unsafe in pregnancy. This page covers the tree and leaf harvest only; it does not recommend an extract, a dose or a medicinal use.
Cautions
Safety notes for ginkgo
- Ginkgo seeds are toxic; do not eat them, and keep them away from children and pets (NCCIH).
- Ginkgo leaf extract may increase bleeding risk; stop before surgery and check with a pharmacist if you take warfarin or other anticoagulants (NCCIH).
- Ginkgo can increase the risk of seizures; caution with a history of seizures (MSK).
- NCCIH notes that ginkgo may be unsafe in pregnancy; little is known about breastfeeding.
- Ginkgo may interact with efavirenz, midazolam and insulin; ask a pharmacist before combining (MSK).
- Female trees produce foul-smelling fruit; choose a male cultivar for gardens.
- This is horticultural information, not medical advice or a dose recommendation.
A starting point for a conversation with a qualified practitioner or pharmacist — not a diagnosis, dose or treatment plan. See the full safety page.
Questions this plant raises
How do I know if a ginkgo is male or female?
You cannot tell reliably until the tree flowers. Buy a named male cultivar from a reputable nursery to avoid the fruit.
How fast does ginkgo grow?
Slowly at first, then moderately. Expect 30–60 cm of growth a year in good conditions, less on poor sites.
Can I grow ginkgo in a pot?
Only when young. It is a large, long-lived tree and needs to be planted in the ground for the long term.
Sources & further reading
- Plants for a Future — Ginkgo bilobaPFAF
- NCCIH — Ginkgo: Usefulness and SafetyNCCIH
- Memorial Sloan Kettering — GinkgoMSK
Accessed for horticultural and safety context. Traditional-use statements are historical and are not evidence of effectiveness. Written and edited by the Herb Ledger editorial team. Read the editorial policy.