Farmers Transform Lives Growing Wild Plant: “Count Leaves, Earn Cash,” Earning $85,000 Annually

Meet the Tiliacora triandra, commonly known as the mist herb, a plant once overlooked as a wild vine, now transforming into a lucrative crop for many farmers.

When cultivated properly, this plant not only offers significant economic value but also aligns with sustainable agriculture trends. Its drought resistance, low pest susceptibility, and minimal maintenance requirements make it an emerging sustainable option for farmers.

Thriving on Arid Land

Belonging to the Menispermaceae family, the mist herb, also known as green vine, is a perennial climber that can reach lengths of 3–5 meters, even up to 10 meters in older plants. Its deep taproot enables it to thrive on hilly, arid land—areas typically challenging for economic crops.

In Vietnam, there are two main types of mist herb: the hairy-leaved and the smooth-leaved varieties. The hairy-leaved mist herb is favored by many farmers for its high yield and superior leaf quality.

In An Giang province, many households have shifted to cultivating mist herb for its leaves. For instance, Ms. Lê Kim Cúc’s family (Đông Bình Trạch hamlet, Vĩnh Thành commune, An Giang province) enjoys a stable income. She harvests approximately 20-30 kg of mist herb leaves daily. The price of mist herb leaves remains steady, ranging from 20,000 to 25,000 VND per kg, as reported by An Giang Newspaper.

Another success story is Mr. Nguyễn Quang Định (Quảng Nam, now part of Đà Nẵng). In 2013, while working in the South, he stumbled upon a mist herb cultivation model. Recognizing its suitability for the hot climate of Central Vietnam, he brought the plant back to trial on his barren hilly land, as reported by Dân trí.

To his surprise, the mist herb flourished, virtually free from pests and diseases, and demonstrated excellent drought tolerance. Seeing its potential, Mr. Định invested in a structured approach: installing iron supports, researching automated irrigation systems, and applying care techniques to ensure year-round leaf production. Thanks to these efforts, the once-wild mist herb has become a staple crop, providing a stable and sustainable income for his family.

Currently, Mr. Định has developed over 3,000 m² of mist herb and is expanding by an additional 2,000 m² to meet market demand. Remarkably, since he began cultivation, his family has never faced issues with selling their produce—traders come directly to their garden to purchase the leaves, eliminating transportation costs and inventory concerns.

The price of mist herb leaves ranges from 100,000 to 150,000 VND per kg. During hot seasons, when demand for cooling jelly increases, the leaves often sell out quickly.

According to Mr. Định’s interview with Dân trí, an average of 500 m² of mist herb yields 200–300 kg of leaves every 25 days. With his current area, he harvests about 20 tons of leaves annually, generating approximately 2 billion VND in revenue.

Beyond its high income potential, mist herb cultivation is hailed as a sustainable agricultural model. It utilizes arid hilly land, requires minimal fertilizer or chemicals, improves the environment, and creates local employment. The success of this model paves the way for its expansion in regions with similar soil conditions.

In traditional Eastern medicine, mist herb leaves are highly beneficial for the body’s excretory system, particularly kidney function. Regular consumption of mist herb jelly or tea can alleviate urinary difficulties. Mist herb is also believed to benefit individuals with diabetes, stabilize blood pressure, and support cancer prevention.