Gotu Kola
Centella asiatica
A low, creeping wetland herb with round, scalloped leaves, grown as a fast-spreading, moisture-loving ground cover.
- Light
- Partial shade to full sun
- Water
- Keep soil moist; loves humidity
- Difficulty
- Easy
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Overview
Gotu kola is a small, fast-spreading perennial that creeps across damp ground with slender runners, rooting as it goes. It is a low, mat-forming herb of warm, wet regions.
It is sometimes called 'brahmi,' though that name is shared with Bacopa monnieri. It thrives in warm, humid, wet environments and is easy to grow as a ground cover.
How to identify it
- Small, round to kidney-shaped (reniform) leaves with scalloped (crenate) margins
- Leaves held on slender upright stalks rising from creeping stems
- Mat-forming, spreading by reddish stolons (runners) that root at the nodes
- Tiny, inconspicuous pinkish to white flowers near the soil
- Stays low, usually under 15 cm (6 in) tall
Care & growing
Gotu kola is easy and vigorous in warm, damp conditions.
- Light: Partial shade to full sun (more shade in hot climates)
- Water: Keep soil consistently moist; it even tolerates boggy edges
- Soil: Rich, moisture-retentive soil; can grow near ponds or in wet ground
- Temperature: Tropical to subtropical; bring indoors or treat as annual where frost occurs
- Feeding: Light feeding supports lush leaf growth
- Propagation: Very easy by dividing runners or rooting stolons
Habitat & origin
Native to the wetlands and tropical regions of Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, China, and Southeast Asia, gotu kola has spread to many warm parts of the world.
It grows naturally along streambanks, paddy field edges, ditches, and other moist, shaded or sunny low-lying areas, often forming a green carpet.
Frequently asked questions
Is gotu kola the same as brahmi?
The name brahmi is used for both gotu kola (Centella asiatica) and Bacopa monnieri, which causes confusion. They are different plants.
Does gotu kola need a lot of water?
Yes. It is a wetland plant that thrives in consistently moist to wet soil and high humidity.
Is it easy to grow indoors?
Yes. In a humid spot with bright light and moist soil it grows readily and spreads quickly by runners.
Gotu Kola guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Gotu Kola.
How to Care for Gotu Kola
Gotu kola is an easy, spreading groundcover for moist, humid, warm spots; keep soil damp and it forms a lush mat of round green leaves.
Gotu Kola Identification Guide
How to identify gotu kola (Centella asiatica) by its small kidney-shaped scalloped leaves, creeping stolons, and tiny pinkish flowers near the ground.
Gotu Kola identified by the community
Real specimens identified with Plant Identifier.
