Spadeleaf
Centella asiatica
- Native to:
- American Samoa, Andaman Is., Angola, Australia, Bangladesh, Benin, Bismarck Archipelago, Borneo, Botswana, Burkina, Burundi, Cabinda, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Caprivi Strip, Caroline Is., Central African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Congo, DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guam, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gulf of Guinea Is., India, Iran, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jawa, Kenya, Korea, Laos, Lesotho, Lesser Sunda Is., Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaya, Mali, Maluku, Marianas, Marshall Is., Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nansei-shoto, Nepal, New Caledonia, New Guinea, Nicobar Is., Niger, Nigeria, Northern Mariana Islands, Ogasawara-shoto, Pakistan, Palau, Philippines, Réunion, Rodrigues, Rwanda, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Socotra, Solomon Is., Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan-South Sudan, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Transcaucasus, U
iNaturalist: © n-lilyabba (iNaturalist #181878700)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Apiaceae
- Genus:
- Centella
- Species:
- Centella asiatica
- USDA Symbol:
- CEAS
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 15 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
- Lawn Substitute:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- butterflies, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, moist, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.0 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers damp, marshy areas in native habitat
Propagation & Germination
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily in moist soil with warmth; no pretreatment required.
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20°C. Seed germinates within 3 months * seeds will not germinate until aged 2 months