Centella asiatica, commonly known as Gotu Kola, is an herbaceous perennial plant native to wetlands, marshes, and damp areas in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, Australia, and the western Pacific. It typically grows in a sprawling mat and reaches a height of 6 inches (15 cm) with a spread that can be quite extensive. The leaves are kidney-shaped, bright green, and succulent, with a smooth texture and a sweet, nutty flavor, which makes them a popular leafy green in various Asian cuisines. Small, inconspicuous pinkish to white flowers bloom in summer, followed by small fruit. The plant is known for its ability to thrive in wet conditions and its rapid growth rate.

Gotu Kola is valued for its medicinal properties, including wound healing and improving mental clarity. It is often used in herbal medicine and is a staple in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine. In cultivation, it serves as a ground cover in water gardens or damp areas and is also grown in pots for its attractive foliage and culinary uses. It requires consistently moist to wet soil and can grow in full sun to part shade. While it is easy to maintain, it can become invasive outside its native range, spreading aggressively via its creeping stems. Gardeners should be cautious when introducing it to their landscapes and consider containment strategies to prevent unwanted spread.CC BY-SA 4.0