Growing Vietnamese Herbs in Scottsdale, Arizona
Answered by: Inge Poot
Question from: Nathalie Hotong
Posted on: January 03, 2008

I have tried in the past to grow Vietnamese herbs from the cuttings of the plants. I would like to try planting them either in pots or in the ground. Our climate is dry and I probably will not even attempt to plant in the summer since it’s way too warm, but our fall and winter are very pleasant. I’m interested in growing Rau Ram, Rau Om, Thai basil, and a purple variety as well. Do you have any advice on how to achieve this in our climate? Do you sell these plants or seeds?

Richters sells plants of Rau Om and Rau ram and seeds of Thai and several purple basils.

Remember that basils love heat and sun and will probably do fine for you as long as you start them early enough so that they will have a good root system by the time it gets dry and hot. Do water them though when it gets too dry. The seeds need warm temperatures to germinate. Rau Om prefers semi-shade in our climate and in yours I am sure full shade is preferable.

Rau ram, Polygonum odoratum or Vietnamese coriander is a knotweed and as such likes it wet and prefers half shade. I would keep it indoors during the hottest part of the summer.

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