Coleus amboinicus
While its primary vernacular name make it voice like this plant come from the Caribbean island , Cuban oregano is a plant recognise by many other name calling as well , including Mexican flock , Spanish ( or Gallic ) thyme , and Amerindic Borago officinalis .
Here ’s the fishy affair : Cuban oregano is not true oregano . Neither is it mint ( Mentha ) , tailwort ( Borago ) , or thyme ( Thymus ) . Instead , it’sColeus amboinicus , a coinage of flame nettle plant .
There is some crossover voter , in terms of taxonomy . Coleus plants are semi - succulent perennial or annuals in themint family , Lamiaceae , of which basil and thyme are also a part .
Ornamental coleus plants.
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C. amboinicusbears the nickname “ Cuban oregano ” thanks to its perfume , which resemble that of true marjoram ( Origanum vulgare ) . Cuban pot marjoram ’s flavor is also similar to that ofO. vulgare , but with an added sharp boundary of mintiness .
Unlike common oregano , C. amboinicusgrows from a short , stocky prow , and has slightly fleshy , serrate leaves . It is semi - lush , think of the leaves retain some water but not as much as a distinctive succulent would .
Ornamental coleus plants.
Hardy only to geographical zone 9 - 11 , Cuban marjoram is often arise as a kitchen windowsill flora in emplacement where it ca n’t be grow outdoors yr - round .
In this scout , you ’ll find out all about how to growC. amboinicusoutdoors .
Though safe for humans to take in , it ’s crucial to live that Cuban oregano – along with all other flame nettle plants – is toxic to cats , hotdog , and horses . Thanks to its acrid smell , it might pull in your dear positron emission tomography , so consider growing it inside a fence in expanse .
Here ’s what we ’ll cover :
What You’ll Learn
What Is Cuban Oregano?
Cuban oregano flourish in rocky , loamy , and sandlike areas , specially those at low-down elevations . It grows one to three feet in height and spread about two to three foot .
The leave of absence are two to two and a one-half inches long , and one and a one-half to two and a one-half column inch wide .
In late winter to mid - spring , the plant blooms with pinkish , purple , or white efflorescence that draw in bee and butterflies .
you could uprise it as an annual open in Zones 6 - 8 , or wherever summertime temperature stick around reliably above 60 to 70 ° F . Unless you ’re in Zones 9 - 11 , it might be too frigid for the plant to grow enough to bloom and go to seminal fluid .
drouth tolerant once established , Cuban oregano thrives in container , or in prompt - drain soil in the garden or grand .
C. amboinicusprefers soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5 , grows beneficial in fond shade , and may hold out full tint in hot maturate zones .
contrive to supply about four to six hours of sunlight every day , preferably in the sunup , to keep the leaves from getting sunburned in substantial afternoon cheer .
Up until recently , C. amboinicuswas known asPlectranthus amboinicus .
Coleus , Plectranthus , andSolenostemonare three genera in the Lamiaceae family , and they ’re well confused .
Until 2019,ColeusandSolenostemonwere lump into thePlectranthusgenus . In August of that class , however , a radical of botanical researchers from the UK , India , Australia , Malawi , Thailand , and Francepublished a paperin the botanical journal PhytoKeys , asserting thatColeusandSolenostemonare their own distinct genus .
P. amboinicusis now deliberate a synonym forC. amboinicus . Another vulgar equivalent word that you may see isC. aromaticus , as it was originally described by English plant scientist George Bentham .
Coleusis a genus of annual and perennial shrubs and herbs , some of which are lush or semi - succulent , likeC. amboinicus . Many species are flashy and fun , with leaves in vivacious , wildly patterned hue of pink and cerise .
Out of all the flame nettle plants , the humbleC. amboinicusis somewhat drab .
These are often get as ornamental and houseplants , and you may find out more about them in ourguide to grow coleus plants .
Cuban oregano is sometimes confused with a similar - see flora often referred to as the “ Vicks plant , ” due to its odor that intimately resembles that of Vicks ® VapoRub , the sticky , odorus , camphor and menthol - found cough suppressant .
But the Vicks plant is a different species with the botanical namePlectranthus hadiensisvar.tomentosus , or simplyP. hadiensis . Unlike Cuban oregano , it stayed behind in thePlecanthrusgenus after the 2019 reclassification .
Also sometimes key out as succulent coleus , images readily useable on the web often confuse the two .
But there ’s a key difference : C. amboinicushas point , mint - like leaves . P. hadiensishas little , rounded , obviously muzzy leave that really reckon quite a act more like those ofO. vulgare .
you’re able to also narrate them apart by crushing the leave and reek them . C. amboinicussmells like oregano , whereasP. hadiensismight cue you of having a cold ( or like having Vicks ® VapoRub slathered on your chest , anyway ) .
Cultivation and History
The exact chronicle of this plant is mirky , but some sources set its origins in the Maluku Islands in Indonesia , which is also where Syzygium aromaticum ( Syzygium aromaticum ) and nutmeg tree trees ( Myristica fragrans ) are from .
Many claim it originated in India . Still others put forward nation in southern and eastern Africa may be the original seed of the works .
irrespective of the locale where it got its start , the works has naturalized in tropic and subtropical climate around the globe .
And it adds a pungent , savory flavor to dishes enjoyed around the world . I ’ve even substituted it in formula that call for on-key oregano to add a strong , fresh flavour to a familiar knockout .
In Cuba , it ’s an essential component in black edible bean soup . Vietnamese Captain James Cook use it as a flavoring for sweet and rancid soup . In Puerto Rico , it ’s commonly bang as “ oregano brujo ” ( witch ’s oregano ) and used in sofrito .
On the Native American subcontinent , the leave are used as a primary ingredient in chutney , and enjoyed raw on bread with butter . The leafage are also popular as a wine or beer flavoring , and are even eaten fry for a flavorful , crispy bite .
candidly , fried Cuban pot marjoram vocalize somewhat delicious . And it ’s nutritious , too , rich in vitamins A and C , as well as omega-6 roly-poly acids .
you could chop up refreshing leaves and use them in any sweetheart you ’d make with oregano . But take note that Cuban oregano is much stronger in flavor thanO. vulgare . Use about half of what you ’d utilize if you were adding truthful oregano to your saucer .
In addition to its culinary coating , people in India , Cuba , and elsewhere have foresighted usedC. amboinicusleaves to help soothe febricity , cough , and symptoms of asthma attack .
The of the essence oil derive from the flora can assist soothe hemipterous insect bites , too . Just crack a folio open and rub the juice on your tegument to help calm any annoying itches .
If you raise it outside among your other plants , they might benefit from its anti - pest and fungicidal attribute . One studyfound that the oil in the leaves is an effective insect powder when used on ashen termites .
In another subject area , the oil was feel to restrict the growth of several types of fungi , include coinage in the generaFusarium , Penicillium , andAspergillus .
Propagation
The fast style to get start out with growing your own Cuban winter sweet is to buy a young flora at a nursery .
But if you have a protagonist with plenty ofC. amboinicusto fifth wheel , you’re able to easy root a cutting . This is the most common propagation method acting .
take down that you may have some destiny experimenting with saving and planting seeds yourself , but seeds are not commonly uncommitted for leverage , and are often misidentified .
Some sources indicate that these must be engraft as soon as they are collected , and will not continue viable if dried and saved .
Just as with basil , all you need to propagate cuttings is a well-defined plastic cupful or glass filled with fresh water supply , and a couple of penetrative scissors . The cup or glass does n’t have to be clear , but it ’ll be loose to see the roots develop if it is .
Take the scissors and snip a four- to six - inch section of new growth from an existingC. amboinicusplant . Trim the leaves off the bottom two or three inch and place the cutting in the water system .
Place the cupful in a sunny windowsill indoors or in a cheery protect domain outdoors . modify the water system every two days .
Within two to four weeks , you should see new root growth at the bottom of the film editing .
When you see about an inch of root increase , fill a six - inch - deep potbelly with potting mix , create a hole in the middle , and softly position the rooted cutting inside .
Bury all of the new roots , as well as the bottom two to three in of the stem where you ab initio removed any folio .
Tamp the potting mix down around the theme organization and substructure of the stem .
piss soundly , andkeep indoors in a cheery windowsillor outdoorsin a greenhouseor other protected orbit for a month or two , or until the plant register signs of new growing .
You might also like to travail up and separate large ripe flora , and replant the divisions .
Transplanting
Once your plant get down spud new leaf , it will rapidly outgrow its container .
you’re able to either transfer it to a container to grow outdoors , or put it direct into the ground . instruction for both pick are included below .
It ’s important to await to transplantC. amboinicusoutdoors until the temperature is systematically appease at or above 60 ° F .
Once established , it ’ll be able to brave frigid snaps more easily , but you ’ll still need to give it some winter protective cover , specially if you live in Zone 9 . We ’ll cover that in a moment .
Transplanting to a Container
Select a container that ’s at least 12 column inch bass and wide . verify it has drain holes , and a cup of tea to catch extra water if you ’re grow the plants on a porch or patio .
Miracle - Gro Cactus and Succulent Potting Mix
fill up the container with fresh potting mixture . you’re able to use received potting mix , or a cactus and succulent mix like this one from Miracle - Gro , available at the Home Depot .
The most significant thing to remark is that Cuban oregano needs loose , well - run out soil for flourish .
Make a mess in the potting miscellany that ’s as cryptic and wide as the root ball you ’ll be graft . Gently ease the untested plant out of its container and arrange it in the hole . Backfill with soil .
piddle slowly to moisten the soil , and stop as shortly as the piddle get down to come out the drainage holes .
Place the container in an area that gets four to six hr of sunlight , rather in the aurora when the light is n’t potent enough to cut the leaves .
Transplanting Outside
Find a spot in your yard or garden that receives four to six hour of aurora sun and has loose , well - draining dirt with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5 . You may wish toconduct a soil testbefore getting started .
Also be certain to allow for at least three foot of space between your plant and any other plants or structures nearby .
grok a hole as deep and twice as encompassing as the root ball of the plant . Amend the grease in and around the hole with about a cup of well - rot compost or manure .
Carefully remove the plant from its container and put it in the hole . Backfill with soil and then gently water in well .
That ’s all there is to it !
How to Grow
It ’s easy to keep your Cuban oregano felicitous . Plan to supply one column inch of water about once a week , or whenever the top in of soil dry out out . Water at the base of plants and keep the water off the leafage as much as possible .
To avoid over lacrimation in the outcome of rain , considersetting up a rain gaugeto track how much water system Mother Earth is giving out .
During the spring and summer , when the plant grows the most , fertilise with a granular slow - button , 5 - 5 - 5 ( NPK ) plant food every three to four weeks , fit in to package instructions .
lop away give out or dead leave as necessary . And take cuttings on a regular basis to use in your food , of form !
require cuttings can also help the plant grow wide instead of tall , and over fourth dimension can even help it to spread and develop a vine - corresponding drop behind habit that would reckon nice spilling over the side of a hang basketful .
If you were n’t able to find a place that receives only four to six hours of break of day Sunday , consider erecting a shade material that shelters the leaves at midday ( roughly between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. ) but still let that sweet-scented break of the day sun to extend to your plant .
WhileC. amboinicuswon’t instantly perish if it gets too much sun , it might get sunscald , which can negatively affect the overall health of the works .
Sunscald is essentially plant sunburn , and affect leaves will lose some of their vibrant green vividness .
Some leaves might even turn dark-brown or white-livered , signaling the death of plant tissue – a clear planetary house that it ’s time to erect a shade textile or move a container - grown plant to a more protected domain .
During the winter , mulch the plantwith a three- to six - inch layer of bark cow dung orstrawto help guard off wrong from frigid snaps . This is especially important if you live in Zone 9 , where winter temperatures can go as low as 20 ° F on intermediate , or sometimes colder .
Growing Tips
Varieties and Cultivars to Select
Cuban oregano can be problematical . But oh , the rewards when you do get your hand on one !
You might be able to get a cut from a friend . Or , you might call your local nursery and see if they have any in stock . And if they do n’t , perhaps they ’d be unforced to ordain a plant or two for you .
Cuban Oregano
quick - to - plant rooted cutting are alsoavailable via Amazon .
A vary variety is also available , aka ‘ Variegatus . ’ It has light-green leaf with snowy margins .
Though the true species plant is most common , you may be able to track down some other cultivars as well .
These admit ‘ Wedgewood , ’ ‘ Ochre Flame , and ‘ Well Sweep Wedgewood , ’ a pale immature variety with sullen margins .
Managing Pests and Disease
Thanks to its strong aroma , antifungal properties , and insect - repelling oils , Cuban oregano is n’t often bother by pests or diseases .
But keep an centre out for spider mite ( Tetranychidaespp . ) . These tiny , nearly microscopic mites spin webbing all over the leaves , an obvious signaling of their front .
While not especially harmful to the industrial plant , wanderer mite feed on the leaves and , like sunscald , can impact a plant ’s health if left unchecked .
If you see any spider mite webbing , remove it and spray neem rock oil on the entire plant every 24-hour interval or two to avail prevent reinfestation .
You ’ll also need to watch out formealybugs ( Pseudococcidaespp . ) , which are oval - shape gray or white bugs that are between 1/20 and 1/5 of an column inch in sizing .
Mealybugs suck the succus from the works and can cause foliage bead and even premature death , but this can be prevented if you discontinue the infestation before it gets too magnanimous .
Remove visible bugs with a strong spray from the hose , and apply insecticidal liquid ecstasy or neem oil to the total plant every few daytime .
As for diseases , most pathogens will generally entrust your plant alone as long as you keep the leaves dry when tearing , and deflect let the plant baby-sit in boggy conditions . Otherwise , the plant might developpowdery mildewor root rot .
Harvesting and Preserving
To harvest Cuban oregano , simply take a sharp twosome of scissors grip and disregard off a two - column inch or longsighted portion of the independent base . you could take away about one-half of the prow at once .
Cut it just above a pair of leaf nodes to encourage shaggy-coated growth instead of legginess .
If you take leaves here and there – peculiarly from the bottom portion of the industrial plant – the master root word will develop improbable to correct for the lost leave-taking , resulting in an unsound , too tall plant .
dress the leaves off your cut stem with scissors or simply plume them off , and love them in your cookery !
you’re able to also dry out them to use by and by . To do this quickly , wash and dry out the leave , then hack them to your desired sizing . Preheat the oven to just 200 - 250 ° F , or whatever the lowest circumstance is .
diffuse the leave in a single layer on a bake bed sheet and start them in the oven . Set a timekeeper for 10 minutes . If they ’re still not dry , check them every five instant until they ’re totally desiccate .
Let the leafage cool down completely , and then salt away them in seal bags or airtight jolt for up to one year .
Get more tip on drying and storing herb in this guidebook .
Recipes and Cooking Ideas
Replace true oregano in any recipe withC. amboinicusfor an special - flavorful encouragement . But call up to habituate about half as much as the recipe calls for to keep the herb from overpowering the dish .
When my menage ’s in a hurry , I care to expend Cuban oregano instead ofO. vulgarein this sluttish 30 - mo chicken with creamy mustard sauce fromour sister site , Foodal .
Another favorite weeknight dishful is this easy cheesy adust ziti , also from Foodal .
Add a teaspoon or two of overbold or dried Cuban marjoram to the sauce and watch your category ’s eyes illumine up at the amazing flavour !
Quick Reference Growing Guide
A Savory Semi-Succulent for Your Taste Buds
What could be better than an loose - to - rise semi - succulent that doubles as an herb ? With Cuban oregano , you get the good of both worlds : a plant that ’s beautiful to reckon at , and delicious to eat .
For extra guidance togrow your own herbsat household , chink out these article next :
Photos by Fanny Slater and Meghan Yager © Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more detail . Product picture via Eunivus and Home Depot . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock . With extra writing and redaction by Allison Sidhu .
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Laura Ojeda Melchor
