Plectranthus amboinicus
Oregano plectranthus, French thyme, Country borage, Indian mint, Soup mint, Spanish thyme
Also known as Coleus amboinicus, Majana amboinicus, Plectranthus aromaticus
- Height × spread
- 0.8m × 1.5m
- Position
- Part shade
- Hardiness
- Frost free greenhouse 1C & above (RHS H2)
- Flowers
- Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A beautiful herbaceous plant that is widely used in cooking. It makes an ample spreading plant with an open growth habit. The soft grey stems hold attractive leaves with neatly scalloped edges and coloured a soft grey-green. They are held in short-stemmed pairs on the upright stems. The flowers are coloured mauve-purple, the shade varying somewhat. They are, overall, oblong, and have many slender tubular petals, curved up at the ends. It is often grown as an annual and may be used as a houseplant. Originating in Spain it has spread widely. In Vietnam it is used to flavour stews. In Cuba it is fried in batter and in the Caribbean it is a component in "rougail". Try sprinkling the herbs over cooked chicken or rice. Alternately, just enjoy it as a garden ornamental.
- Flower colour
- Purple
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.8m
- Spread
- 1.5m
- Season of interest
- Autumn
- Flowers in
- Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Mediterranean garden, Indoors, Herb garden, Exotic garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes part shade, likes light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Frost free greenhouse 1C & above (RHS H2)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Hazards
- No
- Pet safe
- Yes – listed in our pet-safe plants
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Spring - late · Planting
Divide when too large
When the plant is too large clumps may be divided into two or more pieces. Rhizomes can be cut, whilst small bulbs or offsets are detached. The new plants can be grown in a container or planted in the ground.
Found in
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