Centella: The Creeping Herb That’s Taking Over Gardens (For Better or Worse)
If you’ve ever wondered about that low-growing, round-leaved plant creeping across shady corners of gardens, you might be looking at centella. This perennial herb has quite the reputation – beloved by some for its medicinal properties and groundcover abilities, while others view it as an aggressive spreader that’s hard to contain.
What Exactly Is Centella?
Centella, also known by its botanical name Centella asiatica, is a perennial forb herb that lacks significant woody tissue. Think of it as nature’s carpet – it stays low to the ground and spreads horizontally rather than growing tall. This little plant produces distinctive kidney-shaped or rounded leaves that are actually quite charming when you get up close.
As a perennial, centella comes back year after year, and boy, does it make itself at home! It’s the type of plant that doesn’t need much encouragement to establish itself and spread throughout your garden space.
Where Does Centella Call Home?
Here’s where things get interesting with centella’s native status – it’s a bit complicated! This plant is native to the Pacific Basin (excluding Hawaii) and Puerto Rico. However, in Hawaii, it’s considered non-native but has naturalized, meaning it reproduces on its own and persists without human help. In the continental United States, its status is somewhat undefined, but it currently grows in Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, as well as Palau and Puerto Rico.
Should You Plant Centella in Your Garden?
This is the million-dollar question! Centella can be both a blessing and a challenge, depending on what you’re looking for in your garden.
The Good News
- Excellent groundcover for shady, moist areas where other plants struggle
- Low-maintenance once established
- Historically valued for medicinal uses (though always consult healthcare professionals)
- Attractive, rounded foliage adds texture to garden spaces
- Thrives in challenging wet conditions
The Not-So-Good News
- Can spread aggressively and may be difficult to control
- Limited wildlife and pollinator benefits due to small, inconspicuous flowers
- May outcompete native plants in suitable habitats
- Non-native status in most U.S. locations
Growing Centella Successfully
If you decide to give centella a try, here’s how to keep it happy (and hopefully contained!):
Ideal Growing Conditions
- Light: Partial shade to full shade – this isn’t a sun-lover
- Soil: Moist to wet, well-draining soil
- Humidity: High humidity conditions
- Hardiness: USDA zones 9-11 (it doesn’t handle frost well)
Planting and Care Tips
- Plant in spring after the last frost date
- Keep soil consistently moist – never let it completely dry out
- Consider container planting to control spread
- Mulch around plants to maintain moisture
- Be prepared to manage its spreading nature with regular trimming
Better Native Alternatives to Consider
Since centella isn’t native to most of the United States and can be aggressive, you might want to consider these native groundcover alternatives that provide similar benefits:
- Wild ginger (Asarum canadense) – for shady, moist areas
- Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens) – evergreen groundcover with berries
- Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) – aromatic leaves and red berries
- Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) – for larger areas needing coverage
The Bottom Line
Centella can be a useful plant in the right situation – particularly if you have a challenging, shady, wet spot that needs coverage. However, its aggressive spreading nature and non-native status in most areas mean you’ll want to think carefully before introducing it to your garden. If you do choose to grow it, consider container planting or be prepared for active management to keep it in bounds.
Remember, the best gardens often feature plants that naturally belong in your area. While centella might solve a immediate landscaping challenge, exploring native alternatives could give you better long-term results while supporting local wildlife and ecosystems.
