hoodat
Garden Addicted
Many herb gardeners hesitate to plant oregano because it can try to take over the garden, smothering everything in its path. The Mexican oregano however is a very well behaved plant, growing into a three foot bush on semi woody stems. The bush tends to be sparse but the leaves are large, giving you plenty of leaves to dry or use fresh. Harvest leaves for drying before dormancy. If the leaves are starting to yellow in Fall they lose their flavor. It holds its flavor very well when dried, much longer than the ordinary oregano. The flavor is spicier also, making it ideal for Mexican and Tex-Mex recipes.
It is a perrenial in zones 8 thru 11 but will die if the ground freezes in your area. The leaves die off at the first sign of cold weather and it is rather slow to come out of dormancy in the Spring but makes up for it by fast growth once it gets going. It is easily propagated by rooting semi hard cuttings or it can be grown from seed but the seed is very tiny. If grown from seed it will not reach harvest size in the first growing season.
As its name implies it thrives on hot weather and can stand quite a bit of drought but the leaves will be smaller and the growth slower if it is not given regular watering. It needs a well drained soil and will grow even in almost pure sand. If your area gets really hot and dry it can be grown in bright shade but prefers full sun. The only pest I have seen on it is spider mites and a blast of water under the leaves now and them takes care of them.
One important precaution. The branches are brittle and easily broken so don't plant it where rambunctious kids or pets are likely to be running.
Here is a picture of it in my garden. I use it a great deal in my cooking.
It is a perrenial in zones 8 thru 11 but will die if the ground freezes in your area. The leaves die off at the first sign of cold weather and it is rather slow to come out of dormancy in the Spring but makes up for it by fast growth once it gets going. It is easily propagated by rooting semi hard cuttings or it can be grown from seed but the seed is very tiny. If grown from seed it will not reach harvest size in the first growing season.
As its name implies it thrives on hot weather and can stand quite a bit of drought but the leaves will be smaller and the growth slower if it is not given regular watering. It needs a well drained soil and will grow even in almost pure sand. If your area gets really hot and dry it can be grown in bright shade but prefers full sun. The only pest I have seen on it is spider mites and a blast of water under the leaves now and them takes care of them.
One important precaution. The branches are brittle and easily broken so don't plant it where rambunctious kids or pets are likely to be running.
Here is a picture of it in my garden. I use it a great deal in my cooking.
