This has got to be the cutest, fuzziest, herb in town! With it's perfect thick, bright green, rounded, succulent leaves and it's unmistakable super-skunky aromatics, everyone needs to have a pot of this lil' guy on their balcony or window sill.
It's proper Latin is Plectranthus amboinicus and it belongs to Lamiaceae or the mint family as do many other highly aromatic herbs including mints and sages. Most commonly known (by me at least) as Cuban oregano, this herb's also known as Spanish thyme, Jamaican oregano, Indian borage,and Mexican mint. It's many names reflect it's culinary world travels, spicing up meaty cuisine from SE Asia to N. Europe and the Caribbean. Though it's origins are unknown...mysterious lil' herb. It's ethnobotanical and medicinal uses in India include relief of the common cold (sore throat, coughing, etc.) and even flatulence!
In San Diego, this velvety herb is perennial, cutting back after flowering a profusion of "dinosaur" looking, yet lavender- like white to purple flowers late in he fall and into winter. Cuban's habit is mounding and compact average 12" x 12"or less; great addition to any plant collection whether it be a kitchen window sill, patio container, vegetable garden, or front yard landscape.
Cuban requires regular water to become established, but as evidenced by it's succulent, fuzzy leaves, this herb can hold it's own when it comes to drought tolerance. To propagate and shape the plant in one fail swoop, cut back after flowering. Occurring sometime between late winter and early spring, and stick the cuttings in soil. They'll root almost right before your eyes.
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