Gynostemma pentaphyllum JIAOGULAN (plant)

Plant of Immortality, also known as Jiaogulan, is a high-growth Chinese and Japanese climber that quickly covers vertical areas by winding itself around supports. It possesses tendrils located just above each leaf that twist around supports, allowing it to grow rapidly. Its leaves are palmate, generally composed of 5 to 7 highly veined leaflets.

Its foliage is very dense; it can easily cover a 2-square-meter trellis in just one year.

- Uses:

It has long been known in Asia for its numerous health benefits. It is used as a sweetener and as an "immortality tea" in Chinese medicine. In Japan, it is said that people who prepare a drink from this brew daily have a much longer life expectancy, with many centenarians found in villages where it is consumed.

This Japanese herb is rich in saponins. These antioxidant substances are believed to help reduce stress.

Additionally, this adaptogenic plant is said to possess anti-inflammatory properties.

- Planting and Cultivation:

• Transplant the Centenarians Tea into a 5-liter pot with good quality horticultural potting soil, taking care not to cover the collar of the plant.
• Water copiously at the base of the plant during planting.
• Place the base of the plant in a shaded area while allowing the aerial system (the vines) to grow in the sun.
• It is also possible to plant it directly in the garden in a cool, moist spot.

- Substrate / Soil Type:

It thrives in well-draining substrates with a slightly acidic pH, ideally composed with a bit of leaf compost.

- Light / Sunlight:

Gynostemma pentaphyllum grows very well in bright light. You should find a location with full sun for its aerial system and a shaded exposure for its base/roots.

- Hardiness / Growing Zone:

This vine grows very well when temperatures fluctuate between 20°C and 35°C. It is a hardy plant that can easily withstand temperatures down to -10°C, although the aerial parts will disappear during the winter period (die back to the ground).

- Irrigation / Water Needs:

It requires some watering during the summer period. It is not necessary to irrigate regularly in winter, as the plant enters a period of vegetative dormancy.

- Pests and Diseases:

It is not prone to diseases. However, certain pests such as slugs and snails occasionally attack its foliage.