Buying Grass Jelly Plants and Seeds

Grass jelly, known as chao kuai in Thai, is a cooling dessert made from the leaves of the grass jelly plant (Mesona chinensis). To make it at home, you need either the fresh plant or seeds. This guide covers buying grass jelly plants and seeds in Australia, the Philippines, and online, and explains how the plant contributes to Southeast Asian sweets.

What Is the Grass Jelly Plant?

The grass jelly plant (Mesona chinensis) is a perennial herb in the mint family, native to southern China and Southeast Asia. It grows as a low, sprawling bush with soft, slightly fuzzy, oval leaves that are dark green with a subtle purple tinge on the stems. When you rub the leaves, they release a mild herbal aroma—a mix of mint and green tea. The plant is not the jelly itself; instead, its leaves and stems are boiled to extract a dark, slightly bitter liquid that sets into a delicate, quivering jelly with the addition of starch or alkaline water.

Unlike the more familiar Platostoma palustre (black cincau) used in Indonesia, Mesona chinensis yields a jelly with a lighter brown-black color and a softer, less bitter taste. The dried leaves look like loose, crumbly black tea, while fresh leaves are tender and easily damaged, so they are rarely sold in grocery stores—you typically need to buy plants or seeds.

Where to Buy Grass Jelly Plants

Grass Jelly Plant for Sale Australia

In Australia, live grass jelly plants are not commonly stocked in mainstream nurseries, but specialist Asian herb suppliers and online marketplaces sometimes carry them. Search for “grass jelly plant australia” on platforms like eBay or Gumtree, or check with local Chinese or Vietnamese garden centers in major cities such as Sydney and Melbourne. Some permaculture nurseries that focus on tropical medicinals may also offer rooted cuttings.

Because the plant is frost-sensitive, it thrives in warm, humid climates—south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales are ideal. If you live in a cooler region, grow it in a pot and bring it indoors during winter. Expect to pay between AUD 15 and 30 for a small potted plant, though availability is sporadic.

Grass Jelly Plant for Sale Philippines

In the Philippines, grass jelly is called gulaman (though that term also refers to agar), but the plant itself is sometimes known as sagau or cincau. Live plants are even rarer than in Australia. Your best bet is to search for “grass jelly plant philippines” on Facebook Marketplace or local gardening groups, or to order seeds from international sellers on Shopee or Lazada. Some farmers in the Cordillera region grow it for local consumption, but they seldom sell plants to the public.

If you cannot find a live plant, seeds are a more reliable option. They are widely available online from overseas seed banks and germinate readily in warm, moist soil.

Grass Jelly Plant for Sale Near Me

To find a grass jelly plant near you, start with a web search for “grass jelly plant for sale near me” or “Mesona chinensis nursery”. Asian grocery stores sometimes sell the fresh plant during the summer, particularly in Vietnamese or Chinese neighborhoods. Ask for sương sáo (Vietnamese) or liang fen cao (Mandarin) if the staff are not familiar with the English name.

Another option is to join local plant swap groups or permaculture forums; dedicated growers often share cuttings. A cutting taken from a healthy stem roots easily in water or moist potting mix within two to three weeks.

Buying Grass Jelly Plant Seeds

Grass jelly plant seeds are tiny, dark brown, and resemble poppy seeds. They are sold by seed companies that specialize in Asian vegetables and herbs. Look for Mesona chinensis or Platostoma palustre (the latter is a different but closely related species that also makes jelly).

When buying seeds:

1. Check the botanical name: Ensure the packet says Mesona chinensis or Platostoma palustre. Avoid generic “grass jelly” seeds that may be an unrelated plant.
2. Source from a reputable seller: Read reviews, as seeds lose viability quickly. Fresh seeds have a high germination rate, often over 80%, but older seeds may fail.
3. Start indoors: Sow seeds on the surface of moist seed-raising mix, as they need light to germinate. Keep at 20–25°C (68–77°F) and expect sprouts in 10–14 days.

Seeds are the most affordable way to start, often costing less than $5 per packet, but they require patience: the plant takes about three to four months to reach a size suitable for harvesting leaves.

Growing Your Own Grass Jelly Plant

Whether you start from seeds or cuttings, the grass jelly plant is a rewarding addition to a tropical herb garden. It prefers partial shade, rich, well-drained soil, and regular watering. The plant is not a heavy feeder, but a monthly dose of balanced liquid fertilizer encourages lush leaf growth.

In tropical climates like the Philippines, it can be grown year-round outdoors. In subtropical areas of Australia, it may die back in winter but regrow from the roots. In Melbourne or Tasmania, keep it in a warm greenhouse or indoors near a bright window.

To harvest, pick the leaves and tender stems when the plant is about 30 cm (12 inches) tall. You can use them fresh or dry them for storage. Dried leaves keep for up to a year in an airtight container.

How Grass Jelly Is Used in Thai Food

In Thailand, grass jelly is a beloved street-food dessert. The jelly is cut into glossy black cubes that look like dark gems. Their texture is softer than gelatin, with a clean, slightly bitter flavor that is usually balanced by sweet syrup and ice. The jelly itself has no aroma, but when served, it often comes with pandan-infused syrup, coconut milk, or a sprinkle of brown sugar.

A popular way to enjoy it is in chao kuai nom sot, where the jelly is drowned in cold fresh milk and syrup. Another is to add it to ruam mit, a colorful dessert soup with other jellies, corn, and jackfruit. The bitterness of the jelly is a refreshing contrast to the sweetness of the syrup, much like how dark chocolate balances a sweet dessert.

To make grass jelly from fresh leaves:

1. Wash about 200 grams of fresh leaves and stems.
2. Boil them in 1.5 liters of water for 45 minutes to an hour, until the water is dark and slightly syrupy.
3. Strain out the plant material, return the liquid to the pot, and slowly add 30 grams of tapioca starch or rice flour mixed with a little water, stirring constantly.
4. Cook until the mixture thickens, then pour into a shallow pan and let cool completely. It will set into a wobbly jelly.
5. Cut into cubes and serve with syrup and ice.

If you cannot find fresh leaves, you can use dried leaves (about 50–80 grams for the same amount of water) or commercial grass jelly powder, but the flavor and texture will differ. Powdered mixes often contain additives and are much sweeter, lacking the subtle herbal note of the real plant.

Table: Comparing Grass Jelly Plant Sources

For most home cooks, starting with seeds or a commercial powder is the easiest entry point. If you become passionate about making authentic grass jelly, investing in a live plant will reward you with an ongoing supply of leaves.

Whether you are in Australia, the Philippines, or elsewhere, the grass jelly plant is a fascinating herb that connects you to the vibrant street-food culture of Thailand. With a bit of searching, you can find the seeds or a live plant and start making your own cooling, bittersweet jelly at home.