Vietnamese coriander

Vietnamese coriander Persicaria odorata

What is the plant

Vietnamese cilantro is a plant that’s native to Southeast Asia, where its leaves are a popular culinary ingredient. It has a taste similar to the cilantro normally grown in America, with the added bonus of being able to thrive in the summer heat.

The Vietnamese cilantro plant (Persicaria odorata syn. Polygonum odoratum) is also frequently called Cambodian mint, Vietnamese coriander, and Rau Ram. It’s not the same thing as the cilantro usually eaten in Western cuisine, but it is similar. In Southeast Asian cooking, it’s actually more often used in the place of peppermint. It has a very strong, smoky flavor and, because of its strength, should be used in quantities about half that of cilantro. The biggest benefit to growing Vietnamese cilantro over “regular” cilantro is its ability to take the summer heat. If your summers are at all hot, you’re likely to have trouble growing cilantro and keeping it from bolting. Vietnamese cilantro, on the other hand, loves hot weather and will grow straight through the summer.

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Lighting

Full Sun

Hardiness zone

10a - 12

Difficulty

Easy

Water
Consistent watering is key; keep the soil around the plant wet. Mulch around the plants to preserve moisture.
Sunlight
The plant grows best in filtered sunlight, but it can also handle bright sun in the morning and shade in the afternoon.
Fertilizer
A seaweed spray fertilizer works great for this plant. Fertilize twice a month during warm weather and once a month during cooler periods.

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Soil
When planting in a container, use a mixture of all-purpose potting soil and compost.
Temperature
The plant needs 7°C. If growing inside, average room temperatures of 20 to 22°C (68 to 72°F) will suffice.
Container
Choose any container with enough draiange holes. Because this plant will grow rapidly, make sure that the container is large enough to meet its size demands. If the container is too small, growth will be stunted. Vietnamese coriander can grow up to 36 inches tall and 15 inches wide.