Jiaogulan Plant Care
Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Gynostemma pentaphyllum, also called jiaogulan, is a dioecious, herbaceous climbing vine of the family Cucurbitaceae widely distributed in South and East Asia as well as New Guinea.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Jiaogulan?
Jiaogulan grows best in full sun to partial shade.
What Is the Jiaogulan?
Jiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum) belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family within the Gynostemma genus. Jiaogulan is also known as Southern Ginseng, Miracle Herb, Gynostemma.
Jiaogulan displays a vining, trailing growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Jiaogulan produces small white flowers in clusters.
What Light Does the Jiaogulan Need?
Jiaogulan thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Jiaogulan?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Jiaogulan to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Jiaogulan?
Repot annually in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Jiaogulan?
Jiaogulan can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings.
Is the Jiaogulan Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Jiaogulan, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Jiaogulan?
Jiaogulan 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.
Keep exploring plants
Jiaogulan is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Gynostemma genus (family Cucurbitaceae) — search all Gynostemma species in the plant lookup.
Jiaogulan thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino, family Cucurbitaceae (first published in Bot. Mag. (Tokyo) 16: 179 (1902)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Jiaogulan, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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