Main points
Mexican oregano ( Lippia graveolens ) , also know as hoja santa or yerba santa , is a fragrant herbaceous plant native to Mexico andCentral America . It is widely used in Mexican cuisine for its unequaled flavor and scent . This various plant also boasts medicative place and is easy to cultivate in home garden . Here ’s acomprehensive guideon how to grow Mexican oregano :
Choosing the Right Location
Mexican oregano thrives in warm , sunny climates with well - drained soil . prefer a spot in your garden that get at least six hours ofdirect sunlightper twenty-four hour period . The soil should be loose , fertile , and have a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 .
Starting from Seeds
Mexican pot marjoram can be grow from seminal fluid or cuttings . To bulge from seed , sow them indoors 6 - 8 weeks before the last frost . Plant the seeds 1/4 inch deep in a seed - start mix and keep them moist . Once the seedlings have developed their first circle of true leaves , transplant them into single bay window .
Planting Cuttings
If you have access to an survive Mexican pot marjoram plant , you could disseminate it by look at slip . Cut a 4 - 6inch stemfrom a tidy plant and dispatch thelower leaves . Dip the cut ending in a rooting internal secretion and plant it in a good deal satisfy with a well - draining potting mix . Keep the cutting moist and commit it in a warm , sunny location .
Transplanting Outdoors
When the weather has warm up and the risk of hoarfrost has passed , you’re able to transplant the seedling or cuttings outdoors . get the picture a hole twice the width of theroot balland deep enough so that the top of the root ball is level with the ground . Gently remove the plant from its container and place it in the hole . fill up in the pickle with soil and water deeply .
Watering
Mexican oregano is comparatively drouth - kind , but it will produce the unspoiled development and flavor if you water it on a regular basis . piddle theplant deeply , particularly during spicy , juiceless weather . Allow the dirt to dry out slightly between lachrymation .
Fertilizing
Mexican Origanum vulgare is not aheavy feeder , but it will benefit fromoccasional fertilization . Feed the industrial plant with a balanced , organic fertilizeronce a month during the growing season .
Pruning
Pruning Mexican oregano encourages bushy maturation and prevents it from becoming leggy . Pinch back the summit of the stems regularly topromote lateral branching . you could also prune the plant life back by one - third to one - one-half its size in the declination or early spring .
Harvesting
Mexican winter sweet leaves can be harvested throughout thegrowing season . reap the leaves by snip them off the stems with scissors . you may practice the leaves fresh or dry them for later role . To dry the leaves , spread them out on a bake plane and target them in a warm , dry position . Once the leaves arecompletely juiceless , lay in them in an airtight container in a cool , dark place .
Pests and Diseases
Mexican Origanum vulgare isgenerally pestand disease - resistant . However , it can be susceptible to aphid , wanderer mite , and whiteflies . If you remark any pest , treat the plant with an insecticidal grievous bodily harm or neem petroleum .
Medicinal Uses
In addition to its culinary uses , Mexican oregano has been traditionally used for medicative purposes . It is believed to have antibacterial , antiviral , and anti - inflammatory property . Mexican oregano has been used to treat a smorgasbord of ailments , including colds , influenza , digestive problems , and skin infections . disavowal : It is crucial to refer with aqualified healthcare professionalbefore usingMexican oreganofor medicative purposes .
FAQs
1 . How long does it takeMexican oreganoto grow?Mexican oregano typically take 60 - 90 days to attain maturity.2 . CanMexican oreganobe grown in containers?Yes , Mexican oreganocan be grown in container as long as they are large enough to accommodate the plant ’s root system.3 . What is the remainder betweenMexican oreganoand regular oregano?Mexican oregano has a stronger , morepungent flavorthanregular oregano . It also has ahigher concentrationof essential oils , which give it its classifiable aroma.4 . Can I useMexican oreganoin place of regular oregano?Yes , you may useMexican oreganoin shoes ofregular oregano , but it is important to use less , as it has a more intense flavor.5 . How do I store Mexican oregano?Fresh Mexican marjoram leave can be stored in the icebox for up to a calendar week . Dried Mexican oregano leaves can be stored in anairtight containerin a cool , dark place for up to a twelvemonth .
