Centella asiatica INDIAN PENNYWORT (15 seeds)

Gotu Kola, also known as indian pennywort or Centella asiatica, is a perennial herbaceous plant that reaches a height of 15 cm. This creeping plant belongs to the Apiaceae family. It is a small, fast-growing Asian herb with evergreen foliage.

Its flowers range from white to pale pink. They are very small, generally measuring 2 to 3 millimeters in diameter. They typically grow in clusters and have an umbel shape. Flowering takes place in late summer.

indian pennywort seeds are cylindrical, light brown with ridges, and quite small, averaging only 2 millimeters in length.

 - Uses:

The Legend of Tiger Grass

Centella asiatica, nicknamed "Tiger Grass," gets its name from a legend telling of wounded big cats rolling in its leaves to soothe their skin. Today, this plant is a flagship of Asian ethnobotany. It has become a star ingredient in high-end cosmetics, where it is integrated into numerous treatments for its regenerative properties observed for millennia.

Culinary Usage and Botanical Collection

In Asia, fresh Centella leaves are also valued in local gastronomy for their unique flavor. For enthusiasts, it is an ideal collector's plant that brings a touch of history and exoticism to traditional gardens. Its cultivation in Europe actively participates in the preservation of botanical biodiversity and allows for a close look at this treasure of tropical flora.

Health Precautions and Safety

Although its traditional uses are vast, the consumption of Centella asiatica or its therapeutic application requires great caution. Its powerful active principles can interact with certain metabolisms. For your safety, do not consume the plant and do not initiate any treatment without prior advice from a specialist or healthcare professional. Cultivate it primarily for its beauty and botanical value.

- Sowing and Germination:

• The best time to sow gotu-kola is in February, when temperatures are still quite cold.
• Soak the seeds for 24 hours in lukewarm water.
• Sprinkle them in a small pot of fine potting soil without covering them.
• Leave the sowing outdoors during winter or in the refrigerator for 2 to 4 weeks.
• Finally, place the culture in a greenhouse at a temperature of 25°C.
• Germination can take 4 to 8 weeks after the stratification process.

- Soil Type:

This small groundcover plant needs soil with a slightly acidic pH, rich in organic matter and well-aerated.

- Light:

It acclimates to all types of light but prefers shaded locations. Regarding artificial lighting, horticultural neon lights or agricultural LEDs are preferred.

- Humidity:

This Chinese herb grows in a relatively humid environment. Watering twice a week is sufficient; never let water stagnate in the saucers.

- Temperature:

It grows very well when temperatures vary between 15 and 25°C. This plant is frost-sensitive and must be brought indoors before the winter period.