Growing Indian Mint (Cuban Oregano)

Scientific Name: Coleus amboinicus

Perennial

Drought tolerant

Zones: Outdoors 9-11, Indoors All

Sun Requirements: Dappled Sunlight / Afternoon Shade

Pests: -

Ajwain Patta goes by a plethora of names: Cuban Oregano, Mexican Mint, Indian Mint, Hung Chanh, Spanish Thyme…etc. It’s a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae) and smells and tastes remarkably similar to oregano with hints of thyme and mint. Note: Ajwain patta is not related in any way to the spice seed ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi), although they smell similarly.

Native to parts of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and South Asia, it has been naturalized throughout the tropics and broadly used culinarily, medicinally and as an ornamental plant. Ajwain patta has a sprawling habit and can grow up to 2 feet tall. The leaves are fleshy with serated edges and full of essential oils and aromatic compounds.

The leaves of this plant have become a culturally important medicine and culinary ingrendient in many regions of the world - as can be seen by the numerous names it goes by. It can be used as an oregano subsititute which has been found beneficial as it grows in regions oregano can not. It is used in frijoles negros in Cuba and sofritos in Puerto Rico. In South Asia, the leaves are used in pakora, chutney and bhajji. The shelf life of these leaves are extemely short, making them hard to come by. All the more reason to grow them yourself.

Medicinal uses span back centuries and have been said to help with digestion, bloating, colds, fevers, coughs, and symptoms of asthma.

The plant can grow for up to 10 years and propagation by cuttings is easily done in a jar of water!

Caring for the Ajwain Patta

In Zones 9 and lower (regions with a frost), ajwain patta can be grown in containers in a sunny window and brought outside during the Spring and Summer. In Zones 10+ it can be grown outside year round either in a pot or directly in the ground. Being in the mint family, if grown in the ground, it can form a trailing habit, spreading to nearby plants.

Being semi-succulent, once established, the plant is drought tolerant. When small, water a little more often to help the roots establish. Once mature, allow the soil to completely dry out in between watering. When watering, give it a big soak until water drains from the bottom holes. Avoiding getting water on the leaves.

This plant will thrive in either cactus/succelent soil or potting soil amended with additional (~1/3) perlite or pumice. Make sure the soil is extremely well draining. Clay pots can aid in draining soil and are preferred over plastic.

Unlike mediterranean oregano, this plant can not handle full sun if grown outside. Place in a location with 4-6 hours of morning sun and shade after 2 pm or so. Leaves will show signs of burning if in a location with too much sun. Although a tropical plant, it does not like too much humidity. Never mist the leaves. If grown inside, the plant can handle direct sunlight. Place pot in a sunny window.

Becasue of the strong scented leaves, pests stray away from ajwain patta. Take advantage of this and place your pot next to another plant that suffers from pest problems. The strong scent may deter the pests from bothering the surrounding plants.

Fertilizing ajwain patta is not necessary but can benefit from a balanced fertilizer once in the early Spring and again mid-Summer.

To form a dense, healthy, and compact plant, prune the main stem 4-6” above the soil line as well as any trailing limbs as soon as they start to grow up and out. Each cut will produce two new shoots. If proper pruning is done at a young age, the plant can form a strong structure and limbs will not break off due to the heavy leaves. Use the leaves from each pruning however you wish!

Winter Months

Reduce waterings in the winter months. Avoid letting the roots sit in moist soil for too long. Leaves will show signs of drooping if they need to be watered.