Centella asiatica is one of those plants whose reputation precedes it by millennia. Used extensively in Ayurvedic, traditional Chinese, and Southeast Asian medicine — the leaf is still commonly consumed as a vegetable or brewed as a tea across much of Asia — it carries a cultural significance that belies its modest appearance. In the garden, it presents as a low, creeping perennial in the carrot family (Apiaceae), spreading by slender runners to form a dense mat of small, rounded leaves that turn pleasingly bright green in warmth and moisture. In zones 7 through 10, it grows as a perennial ground cover; in cooler climates it can be used as an annual or container plant.

The plants preference for moist to wet conditions makes it useful in spots that challenge more conventional ground covers — the poorly draining corner, the low-lying edge along a water feature, the perpetually damp strip under a downspout. The small green flowers are inconspicuous and appear in fall. It does spread readily and can become aggressive in ideal conditions, so periodic edging keeps it contained where tidiness matters. Where containment is not a concern, it knits together quickly into a weed-suppressing mat. Its disease resistance is a practical bonus in the humid climates where it grows best.