Vietnamese Balm

(Elsholtzia ciliata)

Vietnamese Balm (Elsholtzia ciliata)

Fagus

Public domain

Image By: Fagus

Recorded By:

Copyright Notice: Photo by: Fagus | License Type: Public domain | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/public-domain/ | Uploader: Karduelis | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Elsholtzia_ciliata-2.jpg | Notes: ''Elymus virginicus'' * From: Gre image collection, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/image/viz_native4.html * License: "The Gre image collection is in the public domain and CANNOT be copyrighted." [http://www |

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Elsholtzia ciliata, commonly known as Vietnamese Balm, is an annual herb indigenous to forest margins, stream banks, and moist meadows in East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Russia’s Far East. This erect plant typically grows to about 60 cm in height and features ovate to lanceolate leaves that are long, stalked, serrated, and measure 2 to 8.5 cm in length and 8 to 2.5 cm in width. The leaves have a distinctive gland-dotted underside. From September to October, it produces showy purple flowers in flat spikes, which are highly attractive to pollinators. Seeds develop within these flowers, facilitating propagation.

Vietnamese Balm is valued for its aromatic foliage and vibrant purple flowers, making it a popular choice for herb gardens, ornamental borders, and as a culinary herb in Vietnamese cuisine. It is also used in traditional medicine. The plant prefers moist, well-drained soils and thrives in full sun to part shade. It is relatively easy to grow and can be propagated by seeds or rhizomes. However, gardeners should be cautious as Elsholtzia ciliata can become invasive outside its native range, particularly in the United States, where it may outcompete native species. It is advisable to check local regulations before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Herb
Height: 2-3 feet
Width: 0.5-1 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: Purple
Flowering Season: Summer
Leaf Retention:

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Medium
Drainage: Medium

Common Uses

Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Low Maintenance

Natural Habitat

Forest margins, stream banks, and moist meadows

Other Names

Common Names: Crested Latesummer Mint, Xiang Ru, Crested Late-Summer-Mint, Ciliate Elsholtzia, Crested Elsholtzia, Crested Late-Summer Mint, Kinh Giới, Ægte Kryddermynte, Echte Kamminze, Echte Kamm-Minze

Scientific Names: , Elsholtzia ciliata, Elsholtzia cristata, Elsholtzia patrinii, Elsholtzia saxatilis, Elsholtzia pseudocristata, Elsholtzia serotina, Elsholtzia hallasanensis, Elsholtzia ciliata var. duplicatocrenata, Elsholtzia ciliata var. remota

GBIF Accepted Name: Elsholtzia ciliata (Thunb.) Hyl.