Gotu kola (Centella erecta)
Care, watering, light and tips for Gotu kola on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Apiaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
About Gotu kola
Centella erecta, also known by its Creole names like Zèb poulbwa or Zèb a chat, is a perennial, creeping or suberect herb that forms dense mats of rounded or kidney-shaped leaves. Its small white or pink flowers emerge in axillary umbels, making it ideal for ground cover in humid areas or as an ornamental plant in tropical gardens. Its dense foliage and spreading habit make it perfect for borders or as a living mulch.
Native range
Tropical and subtropical Africa, tropical and subtropical Asia
Care tips
It prefers partial to full shade, although it can tolerate some sun if the soil is kept consistently moist. Regular and abundant watering is essential for its thriving, especially in warm climates, ensuring the substrate never dries out completely. It adapts to a wide range of soils but prefers those rich in organic matter and with good drainage. A common mistake is allowing the soil to dry out, which can lead to yellowing leaves and poor growth.
How to save a dying Gotu kola
- Warning signs
- Yellowish or brown leaves, wilting and lack of vigor. Stunted growth.
- First aid
- Move it to indirect light. Check substrate moisture: if dry, water; if waterlogged, aerate and drain.
- What kills it
- Extreme over or under-watering. Centella needs constant moisture but not waterlogging. Direct sun also burns it.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes! It's resilient. With watering and light adjustments, it can regrow. Prune affected parts to encourage new growth.