Lippia graveolens
Upon seeing the statute title of this article , you may be believe , “ What is Mexican oregano ? Is it different from “ steady ” oregano ? ”
We ’re so glad you asked . To start , for purposes of this treatment , we ’ll assume you mean “ Mediterranean ” when you said “ regular ” in your question above .
That would potential beOriganum vulgare , a member of the mint family that is aboriginal to France , Italy , Greece , Israel , Morocco , and Turkey . There are dozens of plants , globally , that have some form of “ oregano ” in their common names , but we ’re thinking you meantO. vulgare .
Photo by Wynn Andersen, University of California Berkeley, viaCC BY-NC-SA 3.0
See our full guidebook forgrowing common oregano here .
We link to marketer to help you find relevant product . If you corrupt from one of our links , we may earn a deputation .
In this article , however , we ’ll be talk aboutLippia graveolens , a industrial plant that is relate to vervain and is native to the southwest US , Mexico , and Central America .
Photo by Wynn Andersen, University of California Berkeley, viaCC BY-NC-SA 3.0
Given its inheritance , you wo n’t be surprised to learn it ’s cold-blooded tolerant only to about 30 ° F , fly high class - one shot outdoors in Zones 9 - 11 .
If temperature do get down around freezing in warm zone , the normally evergreen plant may lose its foliage but will likely make out roaring back in spring . Elsewhere , it may be grown as an annual , or brought indoors in the winter .
What You’ll Learn
What Is Mexican Oregano?
We ’ve also seen this plant referred to as perfumed lippia , oregano cimarrón , Sonoron oregano , hierba dulce , redbrush lippia , perfumed matgrass , and Puerto Rican marjoram .
There are two other plants commonly referred to as “ Mexican oregano,”Poliomintha longifloraandMonarda fistulosavar.menthifolia , neither of which are related toL. graveolens .
The plant ’s ambrosia is attractive to bee and butterfly if allowed to flower , and birds enjoy its seeds .
Like its Mediterranean counterpart , L. graveolensis an herb unremarkably used to season food . Its flavor is draw as being stronger and more vulgar than that of Mediterranean oregano , and some say it has a citrusy flavour .
Unsurprisingly , used fresh or dried , it pairs well with the sapidity of traditional Latin American culinary art .
L. graveolensis a rather unruly , woody shrub that can produce to a height of five human foot with a spread of about the same . It can survive for five to 10 years .
The plant produces pocket-size , fragrant , fuzzy leaf , and clusters of small , fragrant whitened or yellow bloom .
It has been used medicinally in Central America for centuries to care for stomachaches , asthma attack , bronchitis , and tension . The herb is also said to relieve bloating and GI hurt .
Propagation
It ’s gentle to get start grow Mexican oregano – and you have raft of propagation choices .
The easygoing way is to purchase seedlings from a baby’s room , but it can also be grown from seed , cutting , or part .
From Seed
If you arestarting seeds indoors , plant them 1/4 inch deep in seed tray or peat pots in a quality seed starting commixture . you’re able to plant 2 - 5 of the tiny seeds in each hole . topographic point in a cheery spot and body of water uniformly . The seeds will spud in two to four hebdomad .
When the seedlings have 4 or 5 on-key leaves and all peril of frost has pass by , transplant them to a sunny spot in the garden with well - draining dirt .
If you are planning to grow Mexican oregano in containers , you will need a potty at least 12 in wide and deep .
From Cuttings
Using a sporty , sharp tongue or other film editing implement , rationalise an 8 - inch stem of new - emergence softwood . Remove about one - third of the leaves from the bottom of the stem .
It ’s unspoilt to collect cuttings in the dawning when they are at their saucy , before the heating system of the day sets in and plants become stressed .
Dip the end of your cut stem into a powdery rooting endocrine , and then set the stalk into a mint with a intermixture of moxie andpeat .
Water as needed to keep the soil mixture moist but not waterlogged , and to preclude the leaves from droop . Keep it in a sheltered location or indoors . After one to two months , when the ancestor are an column inch long , it will be quick to transplant .
By Division
If you or a friend have an establishedL. graveolensgrowing in the garden , it ’s quite promiscuous to divide .
In the other outpouring , drudge the industrial plant up ( or remove it from its container ) and cut it in one-half through the root ball . Plant divisions 12 inches apart .
If you are growing Mexican oregano in container , it ’s recommend that you divide the plant life every 2 - 3 twelvemonth . See ourguide to dividing perennialsto learn more .
How to Grow
L. graveolensprefers full sun but it can stomach some wraith . It prefers loamy , arenaceous , well - drained grease with a pH of 6.0 to 8.0 .
contain a littlecompostinto the soil , but take caution not to over - fertilize this plant . If you feelsome fertilizationis in order , go for a 3 - 2 - 3 ( NPK ) mix .
If you ’re growing in Zone 10 or higher , you ’ll need to prune your plants down to one to two human foot tall in the fall to boost raw maturation in the fountain .
Once your plant are established , they involve only occasional , bass watering . In winter , water only when the soil is really dry . This herb is drought broad , but in the case of long dry spells , it will recede its leaves .
If you live northwards of Zone 9 , you could grow this plant in a container and overwinter it indoors . Or you’re able to simply grow it as an annual .
Growing Tips
Where to Buy
If you want to addL. graveolenstoyour herb garden , seedlings are useable from greenhouse and garden centers .
Managing Pests and Disease
While this plant is not usually plagued by any major plague or disease problem , there are a few to keep an heart out for :
Pests
Treat aphid , leaf miners , orspider miteswith insecticidal liquid ecstasy or neem vegetable oil . See our usher to learn to curb aphid .
You might also seewhiteflies , which can be controlled with insecticidal grievous bodily harm or sticky trap .
Insecticidal soap is alsogood for fighting mealy bug , which might pester yourL. graveolensplants as well .
Disease
L. graveolensis susceptible to root rot if condition are too wet . To determine if a plant suffering from root rot is salvageable , you ’ll have to pull it up and appraise the damage .
If the integral root organisation is a soggy , shitty mess , you ’re mostly likely out of fortune and you ’ll have to cast away the plant .
If , on the other hand , you see some healthy solution , bring down away the bad material and replant in an area with skillful drain .
Prevent root rot by see to it the planting domain drains well and taking maintenance not to over - irrigate .
Harvesting and Preserving
When your plant has reached at least two feet tall , begin harvestingL. graveolensas you wish for flavor dishes . Simply pluck the leaves as required . Or you’re able to trim a stem and strip the leaves from it .
If you ’re in an area that freeze , pull up the George Bush just before the first rime , separate the branches , and hang up them upside down in a cool , dingy position to dry . Make indisputable there ’s plenty of air circulation .
instead , individual parting or stems with folio can be put in the sunlight or placed on trays in your food for thought dehydrator to dry .
When the leave crumble , they are teetotal enough to hive away in zippered bags . you could remove the leaves or store entire root . put in the bags in a cool , dry spot .
Read more about dry out herbs in our scout .
Cooking Ideas
I mention above that Mexican oregano is ordinarily used in regional preparation , but do n’t block there . moot using this flavourer in non - Romance nutrient such as meatballs or tomato sauces , as well .
Youcansubstitute it in recipes that call for wild marjoram , so why not try out it in this Mexican lasagna recipe fromour sister site , Foodal ?
Or what about this irksome cooker Tex - Mex chicken , which sounds luscious with whichever type of “ oregano ” you decide to use , also on Foodal .
Most expert , however , caution against willy - nilly substituting one of the various types of wild marjoram for another , because they do taste quite different .
It ’s surely a fine and fun experiment to attempt , but you might not want to substitute Mexican wild marjoram for Mediterranean for the first time on the Nox the Queen is come over …
Quick Reference Growing Guide
Add a Taste of Latin America to Your Garden
Our southernmost Friend can love this fragrant herb in their gardens year around , while others of us will have to be contented with a summer bounty , or an indoor supply .
Either way , it ’s a clean gentle flora to grow – all it require is a cheery location with moderately fertile soil , and not too much piddle .
If you are look to add othertypes of herbsto your garden , you ’ll need these guide next :
pic by Fanny Slater and Raquel Smith © Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . Originally published on March 9 , 2020 . Top photo by Wynn Andersen , University of California Berkeley , viaCC BY - NC - SA 3.0 . Product pic via IB Prosperity . Uncredited photo : Shutterstock . With additional writing and editing by Allison Sidhu and Clare Groom
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Gretchen Heber
