Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an adaptogenic herb that's popular in the Ayurvedic tradition and has been used for more than 2,500 years. It's actually the most commonly used and extensively researched adaptogen herb, especially when it comes to helping the body adapt to fight the effects of stress. 
Sow seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before putting outside. Optimal soil temperature is 21° for germination. Love seat and best grown in a greenhouse. Annual, pollinated, 100 to 150 days.
This species is a short shrub growing 35–75 cm (14–30 in) tall. Tomentose branches extend radially from a central stem. Leaves are dull green, elliptic, and usually up to 10–12 cm (3.9–4.7 in) long. The flowers are small, green, and bell-shaped. The ripe fruit is orange-red.
It prefers dry, stony soil with sun to partial shade. It can be propagated from seeds in the early spring or from greenwood cuttings in the later spring