Giloy Plant Guide

The giloy plant (Tinospora cordifolia) is a medicinal herb that has been used in traditional Indian medicine for centuries. It has also gained popularity in the West as a natural remedy for various health problems.

Giloy is widely available to buy and is relatively easy to grow at home. It can be grown indoors or outdoors, from seeds or cuttings.

Our complete guide to the plant includes details of its main characteristics and classifications, its health benefits, advice on planting and growing giloy, and more.

What is Giloy?

Giloy is a large climbing vine that spreads extensively and can grow up to 20 feet in length. It’s deciduous and herbaceous with heart-shaped leaves, yellowish-white flowers, and red or orange fruit. The stem is what’s primarily used for medicinal purposes.

Native to tropical and sub-tropical regions of India, Giloy is also commonly found in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Although it thrives in warmer climates, it can grow in almost any climatic condition.

Giloy has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat a range of conditions, including diabetes and high blood pressure. Today, it is often taken as an immune system booster or as a general tonic for overall health.

In addition to its medicinal uses, giloy also has practical applications in the home. You can use it to make natural dyes and fragrances, for example, and add it to potpourri for its pleasant aroma.

How to Grow Giloy

You don’t need to be an expert gardener to grow giloy at home. The process is straightforward, and you can propagate the plant from seeds or stem cuttings.

It’s best to grow the plant directly in the ground, preferably near a tree or where there’s space for it to spread. It can also be grown in a pot, whether indoors or outdoors.

If you’re growing giloy in a pot or planter, we recommend using one that’s made out of clay and has drainage holes. You can use garden soil or potting mix in the container, with or without compost.

Propagating Giloy Plants from Seeds

• Start by soaking the seeds in cold water overnight. Doing so will help them germinate more quickly.
• Make some shallow holes in the soil with your finger.
• Place the seeds gently into the holes and cover them. The seeds should be just below the surface.
• Slowly pour water onto the planted area until the soil turns moist.
• Water frequently for the next few days, to ensure a moist consistency of the soil.

Propagating Giloy Plants from Stem Cuttings

• If taking your own cuttings, cut around 25 centimeters (10 inches) from the stem of an established plant. Cut at around a 45-degree angle.
• Remove any leaves from the stem cuttings.
• Dip the cuttings in rooting hormone. This is optional but will increase your chances of growing healthy giloy plants.
• Dig a small hole in the soil and place the cuttings inside the hole.
• Gently pour water around the planted cuttings until the soil is moist.
• Water as required to keep the soil moist for the next few days.

Caring for Giloy Plants

Giloy plants don’t require much maintenance, so caring for them is fairly easy. Here are a few tips.

• Newly propagated giloy should ideally be kept in a bright but shady place until signs of growth are evident. You’ll usually see the roots grow and some leaves sprout after two weeks.
• You should protect Giloy plants from too much strong sunlight while they’re young.
• Once fully established, giloy can withstand direct sunlight for several hours each day.
• It’s best to water giloy only when the surrounding topsoil is dry. Approximately once per week is about right, depending on conditions and time of year. Overwatering can cause fungal problems for giloy.
• Giloy doesn’t need fertilizing, but it can benefit from a handful of organic compost every few weeks. Too much fertilizer can harm giloy plants, and you should avoid chemical fertilizer.
• Pruning is only necessary if you want to control the size or shape of your plants.
• Giloy plants are very hardy and resistant to most pests and diseases. No special precautions are necessary, but root rot can be a problem if the soil is consistently too wet.
• Weed control is important, as nearby weeds can compete with giloy for nutrients from the soil.
• If your giloy doesn’t have any natural support nearby, such as a fence or tree, you might consider using a trellis.

Harvesting Giloy

The most useful part of the giloy plant is the stem, although the leaves and roots also have their uses.

• You can harvest Giloy stems at any time of year. The optimal period is just when the plant starts to shed its leaves, which is usually during Autumn.
• Stems should be around 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) in diameter when harvesting.
• To harvest the stem, cut a portion with sharp scissors or pruners. Cut around 30 centimeters (12 inches) above the ground to leave the basal part for further growth.
• Once harvested, cut the stems into small pieces.
• You should then dry Giloy stem pieces to prepare them for further use.
• Make sure you store the dried giloy stems in a cool and dry location.
• If harvesting the leaves, you can cut them off with scissors or gently pull them off the plant. Only cut back one-third of the leaves at a time.
• If harvesting giloy roots, simply dig them up gently with your hands.

Uses and Benefits of Giloy

Giloy is known to be a powerful antioxidant and immunity booster. It helps fight infection and boosts the body’s natural ability to heal and repair.

As a traditional Ayurvedic medicine, giloy has been used in India for centuries to treat a wide range of illnesses and health problems. It is used worldwide nowadays and has become increasingly popular.

Some common uses of giloy include treating fever, headaches, joint pain, heart disease, and skin conditions like eczema and acne.

• Medicinal Uses and Health Benefits of Giloy (Gardenzy Blog)

Aside from its medicinal uses, giloy is a versatile plant. You can also use it in the following ways.

• As an ornamental plant. The bright yellow flowers of the giloy plant make it a popular choice for landscapers and gardeners.
• For green dye. Giloy leaves can create a natural dye for cloth and other materials.
• As a food. You can add Giloy to soups, stews, and teas. The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked and have a slightly bitter taste.

Whether you’re looking to improve your health, beautify your garden, or create a natural dye for your clothing, the giloy plant is an excellent choice for gardeners. Its hardy nature and minimal care requirements make it easy to grow at home.

Where to Buy Giloy Online

You have several options for buying giloy online, depending on exactly what you’re looking for.

If you want to grow giloy at home, you can purchase seeds or stem cuttings from many outlets, including Amazon and Etsy. Giloy saplings are also available from some online nurseries and garden stores.

• Best Online Nurseries in the US (GardenersOasis.com)
• Best Places to Buy Plants Online in the UK (GardenersWorld.com)

If you’re interested in using giloy for its medicinal properties, many online suppliers offer powdered or dried giloy at affordable prices. You can also buy giloy supplements, including giloy juice and giloy tablets, from online health food stores and similar retailers.

Always buy your giloy-related products from a reputable seller with a good track record of customer satisfaction. You can find some recommended online stores in our section on gardening websites and apps.

Common Giloy Problems and FAQ

You’re unlikely to encounter many problems when growing giloy at home. Here are the most common issues.

• Slow or non-existent growth
• Yellowing leaves
• Wilting or drooping leaves
• Fungal infections
• Rotting roots

You will likely avoid these issues if you follow the advice we’ve already provided on this page. Some more specific tips for dealing with these issues are included in our answers to the below frequently asked questions about giloy.

Plants Similar to Giloy

The two main characteristics of giloy are that it’s a climbing vine and it has medicinal properties.

If you’re looking for alternative climbing plants, we suggest considering the following.

• Purple passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
• Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans)
• Star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminodes)
• Moonflower (Ipomea alaba)
• Cape honeysuckle (Tecoma capensis)

If you’re looking to grow other plants that have health benefits, these are among your best options.

• Aloe vera
• Lavender (Lavendula)
• Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
• Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
• Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)