Vietnamese Coriander (Persicaria odorata): The Complete Growing Guide

If you’re passionate about fresh herbs and authentic Asian flavours, Vietnamese coriander, also known as Persicaria odorata, deserves a prime spot in your garden or kitchen. This aromatic herb is a staple in Vietnamese, Thai, and Cambodian cuisine, offering a peppery, citrus-like taste that elevates soups, salads, and curries.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about growing, caring for, and enjoying Vietnamese coriander—plus some insider tips to keep your plants thriving year after year.

What Is Vietnamese Coriander?

Vietnamese coriander is a tender perennial herb from the Polygonaceae family. Unlike regular coriander (cilantro), which bolts quickly in hot weather, Vietnamese coriander maintains its flavour throughout the season. Its lance-shaped leaves with dark markings make it both a culinary and ornamental delight.

Key Features:

• Botanical name: Persicaria odorata
• Common names: Vietnamese coriander, Vietnamese mint, Rau Răm
• Growth habit: Creeping perennial
• Native region: Southeast Asia

Why Grow Vietnamese Coriander?

• Authentic flavour: Essential for Vietnamese dishes like pho and laksa.
• Easy propagation: Simple to grow from cuttings.
• Compact size: Perfect for containers and small gardens.
• Attractive foliage: Adds visual interest to herb beds.

Ideal Growing Conditions

To grow Vietnamese coriander successfully, replicate its natural tropical environment:

• Light: Prefers partial shade in hot climates; full sun in cooler regions.
• Temperature: Thrives between 18–29 °C (65–85 °F). Protect from frost.
• Humidity: Loves moist air—ideal for greenhouses or indoor growing.
• Soil: Rich, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter.
• pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0–7.0).

Step-by-Step Planting Guide

1. Choose the Right Spot: A sheltered area with dappled sunlight works best.
2. Prepare the Soil: Mix compost or well-rotted manure into the soil for nutrients.
3. Planting: Space plants about 20–30 cm apart to allow for spreading.
4. Watering: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
5. Mulching: Apply organic mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Propagation Tips

Vietnamese coriander is incredibly easy to propagate:

• Stem Cuttings: Snip a healthy stem, remove lower leaves, and place in water until roots form. Then transfer to soil.
• Direct Planting: Insert cuttings straight into moist soil and keep shaded until established.

Does Vietnamese Coriander Come Back Every Year?

Yes! In frost-free climates, Vietnamese coriander is a perennial and will return year after year. In cooler regions, grow it in containers and bring indoors during winter. If exposed to frost, the plant will die back, but you can overwinter cuttings indoors to restart growth in spring.

Caring for Vietnamese Coriander

• Pruning: Regular trimming encourages bushy growth and prevents woody stems.
• Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every 4–6 weeks during active growth.
• Pests: Generally hardy, but watch for aphids and spider mites.
• Container Care: Ensure pots have drainage holes and use a moisture-retentive compost.

Harvesting and Storage

• Harvest: Snip leaves as needed, ideally in the morning when oils are most concentrated.
• Storage: Wrap fresh leaves in a damp paper towel and refrigerate for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze chopped leaves in ice cube trays.

Common Problems and Solutions

• Yellowing Leaves: Often due to overwatering or poor drainage. Improve soil aeration.
• Leggy Growth: Caused by insufficient light. Move to a brighter spot.
• Slow Growth: Feed with a nitrogen-rich fertiliser to boost foliage.

Vietnamese Coriander vs Regular Coriander

While both herbs share a name, they differ significantly:

• Vietnamese coriander: Perennial, thrives in warm, humid conditions, peppery flavour.
• Regular coriander (cilantro): Annual, prefers cooler weather, delicate citrus flavour.

FAQs

Q: Can I grow Vietnamese coriander indoors?
Yes! Place it near a bright window or under grow lights. Keep humidity high by misting regularly.

Q: How often should I water Vietnamese coriander?
Water weekly or whenever the topsoil feels dry. Avoid waterlogging.

Q: Is Vietnamese coriander invasive?
It can spread quickly in ideal conditions, so container growing is recommended.