Vietnamese coriander
Persicaria odorata
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Pl. DD94 — Persicaria odorata
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IOverview
Overview
Vietnamese coriander, known botanically as Persicaria odorata, is a perennial plant native to regions including Cambodia, China, Japan, Korea, Laos, and Vietnam. It thrives in moist, wet conditions with partial sun to full shade and can tolerate various soil types from light sandy to heavy clay. This herb is valued for its edible leaves and shoots, commonly used in Southeast Asian cuisine. One distinctive feature of Vietnamese coriander is its strong, aromatic scent, which sets it apart from other herbs. Its native range and adaptability make it a popular choice for gardens where it can grow up to 0.2 meters tall.
Quick answers
What is Vietnamese coriander?
Vietnamese coriander, known botanically as Persicaria odorata, is a perennial plant native to regions including Cambodia, China, Japan, Korea, Laos, and Vietnam. It thrives in moist, wet conditions with partial sun to full shade and can tolerate various soil types from light sandy to heavy clay.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Vietnamese coriander thrives in full to partial sun and prefers moist, well-draining soil that can be light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is hardy in zones 9-11 and grows as a perennial, reaching heights of about 0.2 meters. To propagate, gardeners can use seeds or divide established plants. Keep the soil consistently moist to ensure healthy growth. Harvest leaves and shoots for culinary use.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist, Wet
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
9-11
Life cycle
Perennial
Mature size
0.2 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Vietnamese coriander for the first time
8steps
Start with a simple setup for Vietnamese coriander, focusing on basic care and maintenance.
- 1
What you'll need
A small pot or garden bed, seeds or young plants, good quality soil.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring when the weather starts warming up, avoiding extreme heat.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use a well-draining soil mix. Ensure containers have drainage holes if needed.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds 0.5 cm deep in the soil. Transplant young plants gently, spacing them about 20 cm apart.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep the soil moist and provide partial shade to help establish the plant.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water regularly, especially during dry spells. Provide light to partial sun exposure.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune occasionally to encourage bushy growth and harvest leaves as needed for cooking.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in full sun, neglecting regular pruning, using poor soil quality, not providing enough space between plants.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:LeavesShoots
Edible uses: Oil
Other uses:oil
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
14 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
14 native · 0 introducedDistribution across1 continent· 14 native
Asia9 regions
native (9)CambodiaChinaJapanLaosMyanmarSouth KoreaTaiwanThailandVietnam
Broader regions
native:Hainan, Malaya, Nansei-shoto
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
Explore further
Companion planting
Growing zone
XII
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Back to the cataloguePlant id · dd94fde1-32ce-4fa4-af3e-f77c74b0d480
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