Gotu Kola
Centella asiatica
A low, creeping wetland herb with round, scalloped leaves, widely used in Asian cuisine and traditional medicine. It spreads quickly as a 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 staple herb in Ayurvedic, Chinese, and Southeast Asian traditions.
Valued as both a leafy vegetable and a tonic herb, 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.
Uses & benefits
Gotu kola is both food and traditional medicine.
- Culinary: Fresh leaves eaten raw in salads, blended into drinks, and used in Sri Lankan, Thai, and Vietnamese dishes
- Medicinal: A revered Ayurvedic and traditional herb believed to support skin healing, circulation, and mental clarity
- Cosmetic: Centella extracts are popular in skincare for soothing and wound-healing properties
- Ground cover: Useful as an edible, moisture-loving ground cover
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 with overlapping traditional uses.
Can I eat the leaves raw?
Yes. The fresh leaves are commonly eaten raw in salads and blended into juices across South and Southeast Asia.
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.
