Vietnamese coriander Persicaria odorata
Vietnamese coriander (Persicaria odorata) is an evergreen perennial herb in the Polygonaceae family, native to Southeast Asia. It grows 15–40 cm (6–16 in) tall and 40–80 cm (16–31 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about 5 °C (41 °F). Space plants about 40 cm (16 in) apart.
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Vietnamese coriander at a glance
| Type | Perennial herb, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Polygonaceae |
| Mature height | 15–40 cm (6–16 in) |
| Mature spread | 40–80 cm (16–31 in) |
| Spacing | 40 cm (16 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 5 °C (41 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | about 21–43 weeks after planting, for 4–13 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: leaves, young shoots |
| Native to | Southeast Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇻🇳 Vietnam |
Is Vietnamese coriander toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
Culinary herb in Southeast Asia; not documented as toxic.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Vietnamese coriander
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
Questions about Vietnamese coriander
- How far apart should I plant Vietnamese coriander?
- About 40 cm (16 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 40–80 cm (16–31 in).
- Does Vietnamese coriander need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Vietnamese coriander need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Vietnamese coriander?
- It tolerates about 5 °C (41 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
- When does Vietnamese coriander flower?
- About 21–43 weeks after planting, for 4–13 weeks.
- Is Vietnamese coriander poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not known to be toxic. Culinary herb in Southeast Asia; not documented as toxic.
- What grows well with Vietnamese coriander?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Vietnamese coriander. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- Flora & Fauna Web, National Parks Board, Singapore
- Plants For A Future database, PFAF
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Creeping tropical perennial that needs constant moisture; rarely flowers in gardens. Dies back or is lost below about 5 C.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
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- French sorrel (buckler-leaf sorrel) Rumex scutatus
- Japanese indigo (ai, dyer’s knotweed) Persicaria tinctoria
- Ornamental rhubarb (Chinese rhubarb) Rheum palmatum
- Himalayan fleeceflower (knotweed groundcover) Bistorta affinis