Gotu Kola Plant Care

Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) belongs to the Apiaceae family within the Centella genus. Gotu Kola is native to tropical regions of Africa, Asia, Australia, and islands in the western Pacific Ocean. Gotu Kola is also known as Indian Pennywort, Asiatic Pennywort, Tiger's Foot.

Gotu Kola displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Gotu Kola produces small, inconspicuous flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Gotu Kola every 3–5 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Gotu Kola thrives in partial to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–1,000 lux. Avoid placing Gotu Kola in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Centella asiatica tolerates temperatures of 60–75°F. Gotu Kola prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Rich, moist soil with good drainage. Good drainage is essential for Gotu Kola to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Gotu Kola every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with partial to full shade and rich, moist soil with good drainage. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Gotu Kola is suited to USDA Zone 8a – 11b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Gotu Kola can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Gotu Kola while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Gotu Kola is hardy down to USDA zone 8a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Gotu Kola can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to heartleaf centella plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Gotu Kola is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Gotu Kola grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Gotu Kola is native to tropical regions of Africa, Asia, Australia, and islands in the western Pacific Ocean.