This study was conducted to assess the response of LED (Light-emitting diode) irradiation on the growth characteristics and saponin contents of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer. LED irradiation showed a positive effect for most of the parameters studied. The content of chlorophyll a in leaves was increased by 4.9~36.5%, under LED and fluorescent light conditions compared to the control. The content of chlorophyll b was also increased by 44.4~55.6% under blue and red LED compared to the control except under the red plus blue LED condition. The shoot and root weight were increased by 20~60% and 14.8~59.3%, respectively under LED and fluorescent light conditions compared to the control. The total saponin content was increased by 1.8% under blue LED compared to the control, while total saponin content was decreased by 8.8~11.5% under red LED, red plus blue LED and fluorescent light conditions.