Growing Pennywort from a small plant
Gotu Kola, also called Asian/Indian Pennywort is native to the wetlands of Asia, and used widely in Sri Lankan cuisine. Living in the US, I was very lucky to get a small plant from my family friends. Gotu Kola is a highly nutritious herb used in ayurvedic medicine.
What dishes can you make with Gotu Kola?
Many Sri Lankan dishes are prepared using Gotu Kola including Gotu Kola Curry, Gotu Kola Mallum, and Gotu Kola Kanda. Gotu Kola mallum is my favorite, and you can find the recipe here. It can be paired with rice and and any curry. Below it is paired with white rice and a spicy shrimp curry for a simple and flavorful Sri Lankan meal
Whenever I get a small herb / vegetable plant, my biggest question is..WHEN CAN I EAT THIS?? So if you are planning to grow gotu kola and have the same question..here is the growth of my plant for five months. By five months, I had grown enough for two – three meals. Do you grow this wonderfully tasty herb in your garden? Let me know in the comments below!
Following progress of a tiny pennywort plant
Day 1 of my gotu kola plant. It was planted in a container using potting soil, and will be watered daily. So tiny!
Month one of my gotu kola plant progress! Few leaves have sprouted and it looks happy
Month two of my gotu kola plant progress. It is starting to spread around he container
Month three of my gotu kola plant progress. Lots of new growth and spread!
Month five of my gotu kola plant progress. It was spread over the whole container now. Time to cut some leaves and make a yummy mallum!
