Gynostemma pentaphyllum Seeds | Jiaogulan
LATIN NAME: Gynostemma pentaphyllum
COMMON NAME: Jiaogulan, Miracle Tea, Southern Ginseng
Plant Profile
Jiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum) is a handsome, vigorous, twining, perennial in the gourd family, native to warm woodlands of eastern and southeastern Asia, while it grows in shaded, moist places. Established plants reach around Five metres. Put simply, this is a rewarding species for anyone willing to give it a suitable spot.
Science & Biotechnology
Jiaogulan is sometimes called ‘southern ginseng’ because its dammarane saponins, the gypenosides — more than 300 characterised to date — overlap structurally with true ginsenosides, though the plants are unrelated cucurbits and ginsengs. Gypenosides activate AMPK in metabolic models, and two small clinical trials using 6 g per day of jiaogulan tea reported improved insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes; an anti-obesity trial used 225 mg of extract twice daily. Human evidence is limited and conflicting on lipids. The vine is easily grown as a herbaceous perennial, and the fresh leaves make a genuinely pleasant caffeine-free tea.
Within the gourd family, Gynostemma pentaphyllum is of continuing interest to researchers working on plant diversity, seed biology and the selection of improved garden forms. The Jiaogulan has a real and distinguished place in the research. Its behaviour in gardens is well recorded, thanks to a long history in cultivation.
Uses & Benefits
Jiaogulan brings genuine presence to the garden and earns its keep across the growing season. Ecologically, the Jiaogulan is a generous vine of woodland garden. For a grower, the Jiaogulan is an easy and rewarding vine, and for a gardener it brings a five-parted, leafy, twining vine to shaded garden. Seeds are easy to start — press them gently into surface of moist, free-draining soil, keep them lightly watered, and theyll be sprouting steadily, growing on into a five-parted, leafy, twining vine. Getting it going is easy; keeping it going is easier still.
Jiaogulan is called southern ginseng for good reason: its leaves are rich in gypenosides, compounds closely related to ginseng’s ginsenosides, studied for metabolic and adaptogenic effects. The vine makes a pleasant, naturally sweet daily tea.
Growing from Seed
Jiaogulan grows readily from seed. A simple routine works well: sow evenly over the surface and cover lightly in a loose, well-drained seed compost, maintain even moisture, and provide bright light. Once the seedlings have made true leaves, pot them on individually and plant out when they are sturdy and conditions are right.
Our Take
Jiaogulan repays a little patience at sowing time with plenty of garden presence later.
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