ABSTRACT The effect of shade and a dose of compost application on crop growth gotu kola (Centella asiatica L.). This study aim to determine the effect of the use of shade and application of compost dose and the interaction between them on plant growth gotu kola. This research was conducted in the experimental farm and plant physiology laboratory, faculty of agriculture, University Syiah Kuala which lasted from April to July 2013. This study uses a separate plot factorial design with 2 main plot, subplot 4 with 3 replications, each unit consists of 3 plants. Factors studied were the use of shade consisting of no shade (100 % radiation) and shade (50 % radiation) and consists of a control dose of compost, compost dose of 10 ton/ha, the dose of compost 20 ton/ha dose of compost and 30 ton/ha. The results showed that shade very significant effect on the number of leaves of plants aged 6 MST. The best plant growth found in 50 % shade treatment . Dose compost very significant effect on stem length is 2, 4 , 6 and 8 MST, significantly affect the number of leaves of plants aged 6 and 8 MST and stolon number of plants aged 4 MST. The best plant growth at treatment doses of compost contained 20 ton/ha. The interaction between shade and compost dose not affect significantly affected all observed variables. Keywords: Centella asiatica, Shade, Compost