How to grow Vietnamese Coriander in Australia
Grow Vietnamese coriander in part shade in rich, constantly moist soil, as it loves heat and humidity. It needs frequent water and will even root in shallow water.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Sun: Part shade
- Water: 5 litres a week, watered every 2 days
- Spacing: 30 cm
- Time to harvest: 40 days
- Time to germinate: 10 days
- Soil pH: 6 to 7
- Frost tolerance: Frost tender
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | September to April | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | September to April | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | September to March | Reliable perennial on the frost free coast; grow from cuttings in a damp spot. In the west keep it in a pot you can shelter from frost. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | October to December | Plant Oct to Dec from cuttings or a nursery pot, in part shade with the soil kept wet. Frost kills the tops, so grow it in a pot you can shelter over winter, cut it back after the last frost and it reshoots in spring. |
| Adelaide & SA | October to December | Plant Oct to Dec in a pot kept wet, in part shade. Cold kills the tops, so move the pot under cover for winter. |
| Perth & WA | September to December | Plant Sep to Dec in a pot standing in water, in bright shade. It sulks in the cool wet winter and reshoots in spring. |
| Tasmania | Not suited | Unsuitable outdoors. Frost kills it. A pot moved indoors over winter is the only way. |
| Canberra & ACT | Not suited | Not suited outdoors. It is a tropical herb and Canberra frost kills it. Keep it as a pot plant moved indoors before the first frost, or grow common mint or coriander instead. |
| North Queensland | All year | Grows all year in the tropics. Plant cuttings any month in a damp spot or a pot; use free draining mix so wet season downpours do not rot it, and water often through the dry. |
| Darwin & Top End | All year | Grows all year in the tropics. Plant cuttings any month in a damp spot or a pot; use free draining mix so wet season downpours do not rot it, and water often through the dry. |
Companion planting
Good companions
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Pick sprigs once the plant is trailing and full, taking the soft leafy tips. Snip stems and it regrows quickly for repeat harvests.
Storage
Fridge with stems in water, up to 5 days.