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🚚 Shipping Update:
We’re now shipping nationwide across the continental U.S. again! 🌱
📦 Please note: Shipping to California remains paused due to agricultural regulations.
🌿 Variegated Cuban Oregano (Plectranthus amboinicus) — Culinary & Ornamental Treasure 🌿
Add bold, savory flavor to your kitchen and instant tropical charm to your garden or windowsill. This trailing, semi-succulent herb sports showy green-and-cream leaves, a rich aroma, and fuss-free care—perfect for Florida growers and container gardeners nationwide.
🌱 Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Plectranthus amboinicus (variegated form); also sold as Coleus amboinicus |
| Plant Type | Perennial herb (evergreen in frost-free zones) |
| Size at Sale | 4-inch pot |
| Mature Size | 1–3 ft tall; 2–4 ft spread (keep smaller with pinching) |
| USDA Zones | 9–11 (grow as annual or overwinter indoors elsewhere) |
| Sun | Full sun to partial shade; in hot summers, provide afternoon shade |
| Cold/Heat | Frost-tender; protect below ~40°F; thrives 60–80°F |
| Growth Habit | Trailing, spreading, semi-succulent; fast-growing; easy from cuttings |
| Spacing | 2–3 ft apart as ground cover (needs air flow & room to spill) |
🍃 Flavor & Kitchen Notes
- Flavor profile: Strong, savory, and earthy—like a bolder oregano with hints of thyme and mint. Best used cooked to mellow intensity.
- Texture: Thick, fleshy, softly fuzzy leaves that hold up in soups and stews.
- Culinary traditions: Widely used as Indian borage or country borage in Caribbean, African, and Indian cuisines for curries, beans, meats, and teas.
- Harvest: Year-round in frost-free Florida; snip tender tips as needed (morning harvest for peak oils).
🌟 Top Benefits & Uses
- Two-in-one plant: Ornamental foliage + powerhouse culinary herb.
- Low maintenance: Drought-tolerant once established; forgiving if you miss a watering.
- Pollinator-friendly: Delicate lavender spikes can draw bees.
- Folk medicine heritage: Traditionally brewed for coughs, colds, and digestion across the tropics (informational only; not medical advice).
🪴 Ornamental & Container Appeal
- Looks great: Variegated leaves cascade from hanging baskets and patio planters; perfect for herb spirals, borders, or as a trailing ground cover in warm zones.
- Indoor friendly: Thrives in bright windows (south/east exposure). Pinch tips regularly for a dense, bushy form.
- Design ideas: Contrast its cream-rimmed foliage with deep greens (rosemary, dwarf firebush), purples (Thai basil), or bold textures (vetiver, lemongrass) for layered beds.
🧑🌾 Planting & Care (Florida-forward, works anywhere)
Where to Plant
- Sun & site: Full sun to partial shade; in zones 9–11, give afternoon shade where summers scorch. Use well-drained sandy or loamy soil—raised beds and containers perform best.
How to Plant (“High & Tight” method)
- Dig a hole no deeper than the nursery pot and just a bit wider.
- Set the plant slightly high so the crown stays above grade; backfill firmly with native soil blended with compost.
- Water in, then top-dress with a light blend of compost, biochar, and minerals; mulch 2–3" with hardwood chips, keeping mulch off stems.👉 Watch our “High & Tight” planting video (same principles for herbs & shrubs).
Water & Feeding
- Establishment: Water daily the first 1–2 weeks, then weekly through the first season; allow the top inch to dry between waterings.
- Long-term: Drought-tolerant but fuller with consistent moisture.
- Fertilizer: Light, organic feed during active growth; too much nitrogen = leggy growth (pinch to correct).
Pruning & Propagation
- Pinch often for dense growth and continual harvest.
- Take 4–6" tip cuttings any time in warm weather—roots quickly in water or soil.
Winter Maintenance (Florida & similar climates)
- Zones 9–11: Protect from rare cold snaps; plants can sulk below 50°F.
- Colder regions: Grow in containers; move indoors before temps dip to 40°F. Some mature roots may survive brief dips to ~20°F but tops will die back—treat this as risk-tolerant and protect accordingly.
🌿 Companions (Available at GreenDreams)
- Biomass & soil builders: Mexican sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia), pigeon pea, vetiver (silica), lemongrass.
- Pollinator boosters: Blue porterweed, dwarf firebush, pineapple sage, basil, African blue basil.
- Aesthetic partners: Rosemary, thyme, oregano, coleus, ornamental peppers.
Nutritional & Cultural Notes
- Leaves are rich in aromatic phenolics (carvacrol, thymol) responsible for the plant’s bold flavor and its traditional use for respiratory and digestive support in folk medicine.
⚠️ Cautions
- Pets: While fine for people in culinary use, Cuban oregano is toxic to cats, dogs, and horses (may cause GI upset if ingested). Keep out of pet areas.
- Overwatering: Prone to root rot in soggy soil; ensure good drainage.
- Strong flavor: Use sparingly until you learn its intensity.
❓ FAQ
Q1: Can I grow Variegated Cuban Oregano indoors?
A: Yes—give it bright light (south/east window or grow light), rotate weekly, and pinch for shape. Maintain moderate humidity (40–60%).
Q2: How cold can it tolerate?
A: Protect below 40°F; bring containers in before cold snaps. In warm regions it’s evergreen; frost kills tops.
Q3: Is it drought-tolerant?
A: Once established, yes—its fleshy stems store water. Avoid constant wetness.
Q4: Does it flower for pollinators?
A: Yes—occasional lavender blooms can attract bees.
Q5: What pests should I watch for?
A: Generally easy, but mealybugs, aphids, whiteflies, and occasional fungal issues can appear—improve airflow, avoid overwatering, and treat organically if needed.
🧰 Troubleshooting Guide
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Yellowing, mushy base | Overwatering / poor drainage | Repot in fast-draining mix; water only when top 1" is dry. |
| Leggy, stretched stems | Low light or excess nitrogen | Move to brighter light; pinch back; reduce feeding. |
| Brown, crispy edges | Heat stress or drought | Provide afternoon shade; deep water, then mulch. |
| Sticky residue / sooty mold | Aphids / whiteflies | Rinse foliage; apply insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. |
| Cottony clumps in nodes | Mealybugs | Dab with alcohol or prune infested tips. |
🍽️ Recipe Starter (Most Common Use)
- Fragrant Leaf Fritters: Dip whole leaves in chickpea flour batter with cumin and chili; fry until crisp.
- Caribbean Bean Pot: Add 2–3 leaves to black beans with onion, garlic, and tomato; simmer to infuse, then remove before serving.
📦 Shipping & Handling Notes
- Ships in a 4-inch pot.
- Best suited for: Florida, the Southeastern U.S., and Texas.
- Carrier: UPS Ground, shipped every Monday from Florida.
- Extreme weather disclaimer: Buyer discretion advised. We are not responsible for damage from heat or cold during transit. Plants shipped to northern or western states may need recovery time.
📍 Local Pickup (Visit Us!)
GreenDreams Nursery & Farm
18709 US Hwy. 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610
Tues–Fri 9 AM–5 PM | Sat 8 AM–3 PM
✨ Come see what’s fresh! 🌿
🌿 Beyond the Plant: GreenDreams Services
At GreenDreams, we do more than grow plants — we design, build, and restore ecosystems across Florida.
- 🌳 Onsite consultations & edible landscape design
- 🚚 Bulk delivery of compost, mulch, biochar, and soil materials
- 🌾 Wholesale & regenerative project support
Let our team help you create your own thriving edible paradise — starting with Variegated Cuban Oregano! 🌿
IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE PURCHASING LIVE PLANTS:
*Please be advised that our online store selections are NOT available for pickup at our retail location in Spring Hill, Florida.
Inventory for our online store is located at a separate facility and are priced and handled exclusively for packaging & shipping.
Click here to learn more about our Spring Hill, FL retail nursery location, including countless more nursery selections ready for pickup - larger sizes and wider variety of plants not suitable for nationwide delivery.
1. Shipping Stress: Transportation can be stressful for plants, particularly when they spend several days in a confined, dark environment. It’s common for plants to experience leaf drop during this period. Rest assured, most plants typically recover quickly and thrive with minimal aftercare. However, some may need extra attention, love, and care, requiring appropriate watering and exposure to gentle light post-unboxing.
2. Potential Physical Damage: Despite our dedicated efforts to ensure that your plants are securely packaged, they may incur damage during shipping and handling by UPS. Rest assured, our shipping team is committed to packing your selections with utmost care and precision to minimize any potential harm.
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For significant box damage, please reach out to UPS within 30 days to initiate a claim.
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For minor damages, such as a broken branch or stem, we advise allowing the plant time to recover and regenerate with proper care and attention.
3. Long-Distance Shipping Considerations: Orders shipped over long distances, particularly to the western US, may take 3 - 5 business days to arrive due to various factors, including agricultural inspections in Arizona, California, and Texas. Such extended transit times can be particularly challenging for tender, young plants, affecting their quality due to prolonged confinement.
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We take additional measures during packaging to facilitate a swift recovery of the plants upon unboxing.
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Initial extra care and attention might be required over the first few weeks post-transport.
For further guidance, kindly review our detailed policies on returns and refunds, as well as our comprehensive plant care guide. We appreciate your understanding and patience in nurturing your new plants.
🌿 Important Shipping Information
Please take a moment to review our shipping protocols designed to ensure your plants arrive in optimal condition.
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Countdown Clock: At the top of our online store, you'll notice a countdown clock. This tool helps communicate our weekly shipping schedule, providing clarity on when you can expect your orders to be dispatched.
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Shipping Schedule: Our nursery, located in the heart of Central Florida, ships orders once weekly, every Monday. This is a strategic decision to prevent packages from being stationary over the weekends, ensuring that our plants travel as swiftly as possible across the country, even reaching as far as California.
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Shipping Method: At present, we offer ground shipping rates to meet various needs while maintaining the well-being of our plants during transit.
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Our Dedicated Team: We are a boutique nursery with a passionate team. Our members wear many hats, contributing to shipping, nursery operations, and engaging in valuable local projects. As we blossom and expand, rest assured that enhancing and streamlining our processes remains a priority to serve you better
Terms and Conditions for Purchasing Live Plants
1. Understanding of Shipping Stress
By purchasing live plants from our store, the customer acknowledges that transportation can be stressful for plants. It is common for plants to undergo leaf drop or experience other temporary issues during shipping. However, it is understood that most plants recover quickly with adequate care and attention post-shipping.
2. Awareness of Potential Physical Damage
Customers acknowledge that despite our best efforts in packaging, there may be occurrences of damage during shipping and handling. For substantial damages to the package, customers agree to contact UPS within 30 days to initiate a claim.
3. Acknowledgement of Long-Distance Shipping Considerations
Customers recognize that shipments, especially those directed to the western US, may be subjected to longer shipping durations of 3-5 business days. Customers agree to provide necessary care to the plants, recognizing that the quality of the plants may be affected due to prolonged shipping times.
4. Agreement with Shipping Information and Schedule
Customers, by making a purchase, have reviewed and agreed upon our shipping protocols and schedules. They acknowledge the presence of a countdown clock on the website and our once-weekly shipping policy every Monday, recognizing the rationale behind avoiding weekend layovers for the plants.
5.Extreme Weather Conditions
Customers acknowledge that our store is not responsible for damage or loss of live plants due to extreme weather conditions during transit and delivery. This includes exposure to cold or freezing temperatures during the winter months and extreme heat during the summer. We provide tracking information when orders are processed every Monday to ensure customers are aware of the delivery schedule. It is the customer's responsibility to prevent packages from being left outside in conditions that may cause damage. Our store does not accept responsibility for any adverse effects caused by weather conditions beyond our control.
6. No Refund Policy
Customers agree that refunds are only processed under exceptional circumstances. Our store will not be held responsible for poor plant choices relative to location suitability, extreme conditions during and/or post-shipment, and improper post-purchase plant care.
7. Responsibility of Care
Upon purchase, customers agree to assume full responsibility for the ongoing care of the plants. This includes, but is not limited to, appropriate watering, exposure to suitable light, and adherence to specific care instructions pertinent to each plant type.
8. Consent
By proceeding with this purchase, customers consent to all the terms and conditions stated above, confirming understanding and agreement to all stipulations mentioned.
These terms and conditions aim to ensure clarity, mutual understanding, and agreement between the seller and the customer to facilitate a smooth transaction and foster a positive customer experience.
