Hoan Ngoc, Xuan-Hoa (Pseuderanthemum Palatiferum)

Hoan Ngoc (pronounced (Juan-nahk) originates from Vietnam. It thrives in heat and partial sun exposure. It is easy to grow in containers as long as you keep the soil damp and often feed it fertilizer for best results. This beautiful herb grows upright and branches to a small bush. It will grow to 4-5′ in containers and make beautiful houseplants. It does yellow some during the Florida winters, so if you’re keeping it potted, move indoors when the temperature drops below 50 degrees. Hoan Ngoc loves to be watered! You can water as much as 2x per day to keep the soil moist but not soggy.

The leaves of this medicinal herb have been used in in traditional Thai and Vietnamese remedies

to treat various ailments related to digestive diseases

. It is said to contain anti-microbial and anti-cancer properties and may help alleviate stomach inflammation, skin disease, lymph cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, migraines, liver inflammation, uterine pain, kidney inflammation and to provide general nourishment to bodies. Used in Thai cuisine in salads, soups, and stir fries. Good in USDA Hardiness Zones 10 and up. Partial sun, mostly shaded area. Does not tolerate frost. It must be indoor or greenhouse in cold climates.