Cuban Oregano
Plectranthus amboinicus · Evergreen succulent herb/subshrub
Plant Family
Lamiaceae
Tree Category
Herbaceous perennial, aromatic ornamental and culinary plant
Variety / Cultivar
Variegated forms exist, but this is the standard green species
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 10 to 11, grown as an annual or indoor container plant in colder climates
About This Tree
A tender, succulent, semi-prostrate perennial herb with a strong, pungent, oregano-like aroma and thick fleshy stems that become somewhat woody at the base over time
Leaf Characteristics
Fleshy, thick, succulent leaves with a velvety texture, rounded to ovate shape, and coarsely crenate or serrated margins, arranged oppositely along square stems
Bark Characteristics
Stems are initially green, fleshy, and covered in fine hairs (pubescent), developing a pale, lightly woody, corky texture near the base as they age
Growing Information
Origin Region
Southern and Eastern Africa, widely naturalized in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide
Growing Season
Perennial growing actively in spring and summer, slowing down slightly in cooler winter months
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires bright indirect light to partial sun; highly drought-tolerant due to succulent foliage and requires minimal watering once established
Mature Size
Typically grows as a subshrub reaching 1 to 3 feet in height with a sprawling or trailing spread of 2 to 3 feet
Special Characteristics
Highly drought-resistant, exceptionally easy to propagate from stem cuttings, strongly aromatic leaves used in traditional medicine and culinary dishes, acts as a natural mosquito repellent
Wildlife & Ecology
Attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies when flowering, though its strong volatile oils generally deter mammalian herbivores and deer