Centella asiatica
Indian pennywort
Overview
A low, creeping perennial herb forming mats 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) tall and spreading indefinitely by rooting stolons. Leaves rounded to kidney-shaped, 0.4-2 inches (1-5 cm) across, green, with scalloped margins and long petioles 1-6 inches (2.5-15 cm) long arising from nodes along the stolons. Flowers minute, about 0.1 inch (3 mm) across, white to pale pink-purple, in small clusters of three partly hidden beneath the foliage near ground level. Flowering occurs spring through summer. Fruit a small ribbed schizocarp about 0.1-0.2 inch (3-5 mm) wide. Spreads rapidly across moist ground, rooting at the nodes to form dense colonies. Tolerates wet soils and short flooding. Foliage thins and yellows during drought or hard frost.
Native Range
Native to wetlands and moist ground across tropical and subtropical Asia, Africa, and Australia, including eastern and northern Australia. Grows along stream banks, in damp grassland, and at the margins of swamps and drains, usually below 2,000 feet (600 m).Suggested Uses
Used as a groundcover in moist, shaded areas, along pond margins, and between stepping stones at 8-12 inch (20-30 cm) spacing. Grows in containers and hanging baskets where the stolons trail over the edge. The leaves are used as a culinary and traditional herb in parts of Asia.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 6"
Width/Spread2' - 4'
Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years
Bloom Information
Flowers spring through summer in warm climates and nearly year-round in frost-free areas. The small flowers are held close to the ground beneath the leaves and are easily overlooked. Each cluster carries three flowers. Flowering reduces in cool or dry conditions.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
White to pale pink-purpleFoliage Description
GreenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 3-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Water regularly to keep the soil moist; growth slows and foliage yellows under drought. Grows in full sun to part shade, spreading faster in moist, shaded ground. Tolerates a wide range of soils from sand to clay with adequate moisture. Contain the spreading stolons where mat formation is not wanted, as it roots freely at the nodes. Foliage dies back after hard frost and regrows from the roots in spring. No fertilizer is needed in fertile soils.Pruning
Mow or trim the mat to keep it low and dense; growth recovers quickly from the rooting nodes. Remove runners spreading beyond the intended area. Cut back frost-damaged foliage in late winter before new growth. No structural pruning is needed.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons