How to Grow Gotu Kola
Centella asiatica
Gotu kola thrives in moist, humus-rich soil in partial shade to full sun. Plant in a container or use hard edging — it spreads freely by stolons and will roam a border in a single season. Keep the soil consistently moist; this herb grows at pond margins in the wild. Harvest young fan-shaped leaves regularly from spring through autumn for teas and culinary use. Cut runners back at any time to control spread. In frost-prone climates, lift a rooted clump before the first frost and overwinter on a warm windowsill.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Light balanced feed in spring as growth resumes. Top-dress with compost annually in autumn or early spring.
Watch For
- Fungal leaf spot in wet conditions
- Slugs on young growth
- Spider mites in hot dry weather
Companions
Mint, Watercress, Lemon Balm
Care Requirements
Light
Partial shade to full sun; tolerates dappled light
Prefers partial shade in hot climates but adapts to full sun if moisture is consistent. Dappled light under trees suits it well. Avoid deep shade, which reduces leaf production and flavour.
Watering
High moisture; keep consistently moist
Needs consistently moist soil — this is a waterside plant in the wild. Water freely in dry spells. Tolerates short wet periods but not stagnant waterlogging. Wilting quickly indicates water stress.
Fertilizing
Light annual compost top-dress; rarely needs feeding
A light top-dressing of compost in spring is usually sufficient. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds, which encourage lush growth at the expense of leaf quality. Balanced liquid feed monthly during peak growth if in a container.
Pruning
Harvest regularly; trim runners to control spread
Regular harvesting of outer leaves doubles as pruning. Trim stolons back whenever they stray. Cut the whole plant to ground level in late autumn or before the first frost to tidy and prepare for dormancy.
Spacing
30–45 cm apart; contain with edging or pot
Space plants 30–45 cm apart. Gotu kola spreads aggressively by rooting stolons — always grow in a pot or install hard edging to prevent it taking over adjacent plantings.
Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 40 cm |
| Row spacing | 45 cm |
| Mature height | 20 cm |
| Mature spread | 60 cm |
Spreads by stolons that root freely at nodes. Space 30–45 cm apart; use hard edging or containers to contain spread.
