Botanical profile

Vietnamese coriander

Latin name
Persicaria odorata
Common name
Vietnamese coriander
Type
Tropical aromatic herb
Family
Polygonaceae

Vietnamese coriander is a tropical aromatic herb much appreciated for its elongated, dark green foliage, often marked with a purple spot in the center, and its intense fragrance reminiscent of coriander with a more peppery and citrusy note. It is widely used in Vietnamese and Asian cuisine to flavor soups, broths, salads, fresh rolls, noodle dishes, sauces, stir-fries, and spicy recipes. Its powerful taste adds a lot of freshness to dishes, while offering an excellent alternative to classic coriander during warmer periods.

Easy to cultivate in warm weather, Vietnamese coriander prefers a bright spot, in partial shade or gentle sun, in rich, fresh, and well-drained soil. It likes regular humidity and performs very well in pots, on a terrace, a balcony, or near the kitchen, where its leaves can be harvested as needed. Unlike traditional coriander, it tolerates heat much better and does not bolt quickly, which allows for a more stable and prolonged harvest during the summer.

Both productive, decorative, and very flavorful, Vietnamese coriander is ideal for gardeners looking for an original, fragrant, and easy-to-integrate herb into a gourmet garden. Its dense foliage adds beautiful texture to containers and herb boxes, while its distinctive flavor enhances fresh and aromatic recipes. It is a perfect plant to enrich an urban vegetable garden, a collection of herbs, or an outdoor kitchen corner with an exotic and very fragrant touch.

Care guide

Care level
Easy

Choosing this plant

Main benefit
Aromatic foliage with a spicy coriander taste and excellent heat tolerance
Vegetable garden, herbs, balcony, container, Vietnamese and Asian cuisine
Container growing
Excellent and recommended for pot culture in cold climates
Seasonal care
Harvest young shoots as needed; pinch regularly to keep the plant compact; bring indoors before the cold
Growing conditions

Light, soil, water and hardiness

Hardiness zone
Not hardy
Exposure
Full sun to partial shade
Watering
Regular; keep the soil consistently moist without waterlogging
Humidity
Average to high humidity; prefers cool, moist soil
Fertilization
Light and regular fertilization in pots during growth
Soil type
Fertile, cool, moist, but well-drained soil
Soil pH
Slightly acidic to neutral
Minimum temperature
10°C
Propagation method
Stem cuttings or division
Plant appearance

Blooming, foliage and shape

Blooming period
Rare in cultivation
Flower color
Pale pink to white
Foliage color
Green with purple markings
Foliage type
Persistent in hot climates
Shape
Creeping to semi-erect, branched habit
Garden structure

Size and growth

Height
8 to 18 inches (20 to 45 cm)
Width
45 to 60 cm (18 to 24 inches)
Growth rate
Rapid growth
Vegetable garden and yield

Companion planting, spacing and harvest

Companion plants
Thai basil, mint, lemongrass, chillies
Plants to avoid
Plants that prefer very dry soils, such as thyme, rosemary, and lavender
Spacing
30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 inches)
Harvest period
Spring to fall leaves
Not recommended for pets
Not recommended for pets

Pets

The availability of our plants varies depending on arrivals, seasons, nursery production and supplier availability. Some varieties may be offered for a limited time only, depending on their natural cycle or current stock. These plant profiles are designed to guide and inspire you when choosing plants for the garden, landscaping projects, containers or long-lasting outdoor arrangements.