Mexican Oregano

Mexican Oregano

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Mexican Oregano foliage

Mexican Oregano foliage

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Description:

Not a true oregano, but used as a seasoning in Mexican food; an attractive shrub especially when pinched back early in its life; clusters of white flowers all season; great for the garden or shrub border

Ornamental Features

Mexican Oregano features showy clusters of fragrant white flowers at the ends of the stems from late spring to mid fall. Its attractive fragrant oval leaves emerge chartreuse in spring, turning green in color throughout the season.

This plant is primarily grown as an ornamental, but it's also valued for its edible qualities. The savory leaves are most often used in the following ways:

• Seasoning

Landscape Attributes

Mexican Oregano is an herbaceous annual herb with a more or less rounded form. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Mexican Oregano is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• General Garden Use
• Herb Gardens
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Mexican Oregano will grow to be about 6 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 6 feet. This annual will normally live for one full growing season, needing replacement the following year.

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America.

Mexican Oregano is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Because of its height, it is often used as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.