So, you want to know about the Mexican oregano plant…
Yes?
That’s good because in today’s post I’ve described how to grow and care for Mexican oregano plants.
If you didn’t grow a plant previously, don’t worry about it cause in this article I have explained everything from basic.
Even a beginner can start planting without any mistakes.
So, keep reading…
What Does Mexican Oregano Plant Look Like
Before discussing how to grow Mexican oregano plants. Let’s know a few things about them.
What is the Mexican oregano plant?
Photo source: Dick Culbert
They are leafy herbs that are used in Mexican cuisine and belong to the mint family that is native to France, Italy, Greece, Israel, Morocco, and Turkey.
The Mexican oregano plant’s scientific name is Lippia graveolens, the plant is related to verbena and is considered to be a native plant of the regions such as the southwestern US, Mexico, and Central America.
These plant species are cold-tolerant only about 30 degrees Fahrenheit and thrive annually outside in the hardiness zone 9-11.
Like any other evergreen plant, they also lose their leaves in the frost and most likely grow in the spring, or else you may bring them inside your house if possible.
The plant produces small, fragrant leaves and clusters of small, fragrant white and yellow flowers.
The flower’s nectar of the plant attracts bees and butterflies, their seeds are edible for birds.
In the growing season, the plant grows up to 5 feet in height as well as spreads. If you care for them properly, then the Mexican oregano plant can live about 10 years long.
Earlier in Central American countries, this plant is used as medicine to treat stomach aches, asthma, bronchitis, and stress. They also use this herb to get relief from bloating and gastrointestinal distress.
Also, read 14 perennial plants That make your garden Eye-relaxing.
How to Propagate Mexican Oregano Plant
Propagation of Mexican oregano is easy. Plant them outdoors as soon as the spring season starts or when there is no frost outside.
You can plant them where lots of space is present as they spread out.
Photo source: Jeff Wright
The easiest way is to buy seedlings from a nursery. But here we’ll also discuss other propagation choices such as seeds, cuttings, and division.
So, let’s see these methods one by one…
From Seed
Growing from seeds may take some time. At least 3-4 weeks to germinate seedlings. When you plant oregano from seeds you should sow them ¼ deep in the peat pot or soil bed.
For proper germination of seedlings. If you want to grow them in a container. Then make sure that the container is at least 12 inches wide and deep.
Photo source: Jessica and Lon Binder
The container in which seeds are sown should have rich compost soil.
Rich compost soil provides essential nutrition to the plant. Now, dig holes in the soil to sow seeds.
Plant 2-5 seeds in each hole in the soil and put the plant in a sunny spot and water regularly. The seedlings start germinating after 3-4 weeks.
After seedlings germinate 4-5 true leaves, you can transplant them in a wide sunny spot with well-drained soil.
Remember: If you’re not planting in a container. Then You have to leave at least a 1-foot distance around each hole. As the plant spreads wide.
From Cutting
Cut the stem of the new growth plant with a sharp knife or other cutting implements.
The stem length should be at least 8 inches. Then remove about one-third leaves from the bottom of the stem.
It’s best if you cut the stem in the early morning as the stem of the plant is fresh. However, during the day due to instance sunlight, the plant stem gets stressed.
Dip the end of your cut stem in the powder rooting hormones. To boost the growth of the plant. Then plant the stem in the pot which has a mixture of peat and sand.
Watering uniformly keeps the soil mixture moist but not waterlogged and prevents the leaves from wilting. Place the growing plant in a shaded spot or indoors.
After, one to two months when the roots become long enough, you can transplant them.
From Division
If your friend has a Mexican oregano plant you can divide it from his plant. In the early spring, dip out the plant and cut half with a root ball. Then plant them 12 inches apart.
Keep in mind, you have to divide Mexican oregano plants every 2-3 years if you plant them in a container.
How to Grow Mexican Oregano Plant
Similar to other plants there are a few conditions that Mexican oregano plants need for proper growth.
Let’s learn them…
Always plant L.graveolens in full sun but they can also tolerate little shade. The soil should be loamy, sandy, and well-drained with pH 6.0 to 8.0.
Add compost to soil to boost growth but remember not to over-fertilize this plant herb.
Photo source: Forest and Kim Starr
But when you see there is a need for fertilizer, add 3-2-3 (NPK) mix.
If you’re growing in zone 10 or higher, you need to prune your plants down one to two feet tall in the fall so that in the spring they grow fast.
Once L.graveolens get established, water them occasionally as the plant is drought tolerant. But if you completely stop watering them, then they’ll lose their leaves.
In the winter season, water them only when the soil is dry.
If you live north of zone 9, you can grow them in the container or overwinter them indoors. Or it’s best to grow them annually.
How to care for a Mexican oregano plant?
Here are some tips on how to care for a Mexican oregano plant:
- Planting: Mexican oregano prefers well-draining soil and full sun to partial shade. It is drought-tolerant and can handle dry conditions, but it will grow best if given regular watering during dry spells.
- Fertilizing: Mexican oregano does not require much fertilization, but you can provide it with a balanced fertilizer (such as 10-10-10) once a month during the growing season to encourage growth.
- Pruning: Mexican oregano can grow quite large and may require regular pruning to keep it manageable. Prune the plant back by cutting off any dead or overgrown stems to encourage new growth.
- Pest control: Mexican oregano is generally resistant to pests, but it can be prone to infestations of aphids, whiteflies, and mites. If you notice any of these pests on your plant, you can try using a natural pest control method such as neem oil or insecticidal soap to get rid of them.
- Harvesting: You can start harvesting Mexican oregano leaves when the plant is at least six inches tall. Snip off a few leaves at a time, being careful not to take too many from any one stem. The leaves can be used fresh or dried for later use.
Pests and Disease
L.graveolens plants are generally not attracted by pests and diseases. But there are a few things you should need to look after.
To keep your plants free from aphids, leaf miners, or spider mites, you should shower them with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Not only this, but insecticidal soap also controls whiteflies and mealybugs which might pests your L.graveolens plant completely.
Photo source: Forest and Kim Starr
Despite pests, this plant is also influenced by root rot disease. Root rot causes when you water the plant more than they need.
If you see plant leaves are drying then they might be suffering from root rot.
In this case, you have to pull your plant up from the soil and analyze the damage. If you identify this problem early you can recuse the plant, by trimming the affected roots.
After trimming roots, plant them where they get enough space as they need proper air circulation, prevent them from root rot by well-draining and taking care, not to over irrigate the plant.
Unfortunately, if your plant’s entire root system is root rot you have to toss the plant.
Did I Miss Anything?
Now I’d like to hear from you: which tip from today’s post are you going to try first?
or maybe, I didn’t mention your favorite plant-growing tip. Either way, let me know by leaving a comment below right now.
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Hey! I’m Madhuresh, a passionate content creator, and a Plant lover. I created Shiny Plant to explore and learn about new plants. The purpose is to provide simple and effective Gardening Tips. Hope you’ll find this informative.