Vietnamese Mint
Persicaria odorata
Vietnamese Mint is a vigorous tropical herb valued for its distinctive spicy, citrus-like leaves. It flourishes in warm, humid gardens with consistent moisture and partial shade, producing an abundant harvest when stems are cut regularly.
Overview
At a Glance
Peak Planting Window
September to April
Seasonal Role
Tropical leafy herb
Difficulty
Easy
Planting Method
Cutting, division or transplant
First Harvest
6–8 weeks
Sun
Part shade to filtered sun
Water
High
Heat Tolerance
Very High
Humidity Tolerance
Very High
Family
Polygonaceae
Category
Herb
Planting Calendar
Monthly Planting Guide
Month-by-month suitability for coastal subtropical Australia.
Rationale
Why This Planting Window
Vietnamese Mint thrives in warm, humid weather and establishes rapidly when soil remains consistently moist. Planting from spring through early autumn supports vigorous leafy growth, while protection from intense afternoon sun helps maintain tender, high-quality foliage.
Reference
Growing Information
Lifecycle
Tender perennial
Ideal Soil Temperature
20–30°C
Germination
Usually propagated from cuttings rather than seed
Transplant Ready
2–4 weeks after cuttings develop strong roots
Soil
Rich, fertile, moisture-retentive soil
Soil pH
5.5–7.0
Plant Spacing
30–45 cm
Row Spacing
45–60 cm
Frost Tolerance
Very Low
In the garden
Plant Care
Feeding
Improve the soil with mature compost before planting and apply a light balanced feed during active growth to encourage fresh leafy stems.
Watering Guidance
Keep the soil consistently moist and do not allow established plants to dry out repeatedly. Mulching helps retain moisture during hot weather.
Companion Plants
Avoid Nearby
- None significant
Watch out for
Problems & Prevention
Common Pests
Aphids, caterpillars, spider mites, slugs and snails.
Common Diseases
Leaf spot, stem rot and root rot.
Common Mistakes
Allowing the soil to dry out, planting in harsh afternoon sun, poor drainage, failing to harvest regularly and allowing stems to become overcrowded.
Picking
Harvest
First Harvest
6–8 weeks
Harvest Window
Continuous leaf harvest
Harvest Indicators
Harvest tender stem tips and mature leaves regularly. Cut immediately above a leaf node to encourage branching and continual fresh growth.
Standard
SGGS Details
Subtropical Gardener Growing Standard — profile metadata.
- SGGS Code
- HER015
- Version
- 1
- Confidence
- High
- Seasonal Role
- Tropical leafy herb
- Crop Champion Month
- November
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