La Cach (Premna serratifolia)
La Cach is a small tree / large flowering shrub in the Lamiaceae family of plants. It is native to Southeast Asia and primarily grown in Vietnam.
La Cach always gets a lot of attention during our Food Forest Tours due to it's unique appearance, beautiful deep purple berries (only harvested for seed) and eye-catching flowers. It has a shrubby habit and makes a great ornamental hedge that always attracts a large number of butterflies and other pollinators.
La Cach plants flower and produce seeds year-round, but it is really cultivated for its foliage. The young leaves and tender shoots are typically cooked and eaten as greens or used to wrap meat or veggies with and grilled. The leaves, flowers, and roots of La Cach are known for their purported medicinal qualities in the Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani systems of medicine.
Plant Type:
Evergreen Fruiting Tree
Harvest Season:
Summer-Fall
Mature Size:
20 ft. tall
Soil & Moisture:
Sandy, well-draining soil
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Self-Fertile:
Yes
Growth Rate:
Fast
Zone Hardiness:
Outdoors 9-11 with frost protection ; Patio/Greenhouse 4+
Propagation:
Our La Cach is grown from seed and is capable of harvest within growing season.
