Asiatic pennywort

Also known as: Asiatic pennywort, Gotu kola, Indian pennywort, Mandukaparni

Centella asiatica is a low, mat-forming evergreen perennial with slender runners that root at the nodes. Its leaves are rounded or kidney-shaped, with scalloped edges and lightly glossy surfaces, borne on long stalks. Small, pale pink or white flowers appear in tiny clusters from summer to autumn. The plant is valued for its dense, weed-suppressing carpet of foliage and its traditional medicinal use.

Asiatic pennywort

Scientific classification

Species: Asiatic pennywort (Centella asiatica)
Genus: Information to be completed
Family: Apiaceae

Non-toxic to people and pets; leaves are edible and traditionally used in herbal medicine.
Toxicity: Herbaceous Perennial · Bogs
Plant type: 0.05 - 0.2 metres
Height: 0.5 - 1 metres
Spread: Evergreen
Foliage: Spreading · Matforming
Habit: Spring · Summer · Autumn
Season of interest: Partial shade
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

Asiatic pennywort pictures

Information to be completed

Distribution of Asiatic pennywort

Distribution map

Tropical and subtropical Asia, Africa, Australia and the Pacific islands.

Information to be completed

Culture

Information to be completed

Toxicity

Non-toxic to people and pets; leaves are edible and traditionally used in herbal medicine.

Quick identification of Asiatic pennywort

Information to be completed

Asiatic pennywort care guide

Keep soil constantly moist; do not allow it to dry out completely.
Watering: Partial shade
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

Watering

Keep soil constantly moist; do not allow it to dry out completely.

Fertilizing

Every 4 weeks during the growing season with balanced liquid fertilizer.

Pruning

Trim back or lift excess runners whenever they outgrow their space; remove damaged or yellowing leaves to keep the plant tidy.

Propagation

Propagate by division or by taking rooted cuttings from the runners. Detach a section of runner with at least one node and a few roots, place it in moist, humus-rich compost or water, and keep it warm and shaded until roots develop. Division is easiest in spring or early summer.

Growing

Grow Centella asiatica in humus-rich, reliably moist soil in partial shade, ideally in a bog garden or at a pond margin. Water freely so that the soil never dries out; it can tolerate standing water for short periods. It is frost tender, so in cold winter regions grow it in containers and overwinter in a greenhouse or on a bright windowsill. Apply a balanced liquid feed monthly during active growth. Restrict the creeping runners to prevent it from swamping smaller plants.

More growing and care information →