Gynostemma pentaphyllum aka Gynostemma

Taxonomy

Gynostemma pentaphyllum, also known as jiaogulan or sweet tea vine, is a dioecious, herbaceous, climbing vine native to mountainous or forested areas of Eastern Asia. It exhibits lobed leaves and inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers close to the stem. It has recently been incorporated into traditional medicine as an adaptogenic or tonic herb, and is a short-lived perennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 to 10. As a houseplant, it needs lots of water and abundant sunlight. It should be less than 3 feet from a window in order to thrive.

Common names

Gynostemma, Jiao Gu Lan

How to care for Gynostemma

Difficulty

Gynostemma presents a moderate level of care, which allows plant enthusiasts with some experience to expand their skills and knowledge.

Lighting

Gynostemma thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Gynostemma.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it's common for Gynostemma to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

The toxicity level of this plant has not been officially confirmed by Ploi. If there is a possibility of ingestion of plant material with an uncertain toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a medical professional.

Region of origin

Gynostemma’s native range is E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.


More info:
Wikipedia