While its primary common name makes it sound like this plant comes from the Caribbean island, Cuban oregano is a plant known by many other names as well, including Mexican mint, Spanish (or French) thyme, and Indian borage.
Here’s the funny thing: Cuban oregano is not true oregano. Neither is it mint (Mentha), borage (Borago), or thyme (Thymus). Instead, it’s Coleus amboinicus, a species of coleus plant.
There is some crossover, in terms of taxonomy. Coleus plants are semi-succulent perennials or annuals in the mint family, Lamiaceae, of which basil and thyme are also a part.
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C. amboinicus bears the nickname “Cuban oregano” thanks to its aroma, which resembles that of true oregano (Origanum vulgare). Cuban oregano’s flavor is also similar to that of O. vulgare, but with an added sharp edge of mintiness.
Unlike common oregano, C. amboinicus grows from a short, thick stem, and has slightly fleshy, serrated leaves. It is semi-succulent, meaning the leaves retain some water but not as much as a typical succulent would.
Hardy only to Zones 9-11, Cuban oregano is often grown as a kitchen windowsill plant in locations where it can’t be grown outdoors year-round.
In this guide, you’ll learn all about how to grow C. amboinicus outdoors.
Though safe for humans to consume, it’s important to know that Cuban oregano – along with all other coleus plants – is toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Thanks to its pungent smell, it might attract your beloved pets, so consider growing it inside a fenced area.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
What Is Cuban Oregano?Cuban oregano thrives in rocky,
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