Indian Borage
Indian Borage (Coleus amboinicus)
Other common names: Mexican Mint, Spanish Thyme, Cuban Oregano, Indian Borage, 左手香, 到手香, 印度薄荷
.jpg "Photo by Jacqueline Chua.")
Indian borage is a hardy, succulent herb that grows well in semi-shade and full sun conditions. Its leaves smell strongly of oregano and is typically made into tea as a remedy for sore throats.
This plant is a perennial crop with shallow roots that is easy to propagate, making it a popular choice for container gardening and herb borders.
Indian Borage is part of the Lamiaceae or Mint family, which includes other popular herbs like Spearmint and Thai Basil.
Sun and soil needs:
.jpg "Photo by Jacqueline Chua")
As with most herbs, Indian Borage are usually grown in about 4-8 hours of indirect sunlight, or 2-6 hours of direct sunlight.
Plants do best in pots with loamy soil at least 10cm deep, or in true ground.
These plants are very vulnerable to root rot, so ensure that your pots drain well and have plenty of inorganic soil amendments.
Growing:
Indian borage grows rapidly when young and freshly planted from cuttings. Regular pruning will encourage the plant to grow more leaves and stems.
Harvesting:
Plants can be harvested for young leaves at any time. They are typically harvested continuously via the cut-and-come-again method.
Propagation:
Indian borage is typically propagated via stem cuttings in soil. Stem cuttings rooted in water are likely to rot.
Common problems & solutions:
Like most strong-smelling herbs, this plant is relatively resistant to pests and disease if kept healthy.
The stems are liable to snap if they get too long. Regularly prune the plant to keep stems short.
This plant is very vulnerable to root rot, so ensure that your pots drain well and have plenty of inorganic soil amendments.