Oregano
Mediterranean native struggles in Thai humidity. Use gritty alkaline soil and shelter from monsoon.
A mounded, aromatic perennial with small, ovate, dark green leaves. This 'Hot and Spicy' cultivar offers an intense, peppery flavor and produces small pink to white flowers. Its potent flavor is even more intense when dried, making it indispensable for authentic Italian pizza and pasta sauces.
Cultivation
Sunlight
Full Sun. Tolerates tropical intensity better than other Mediterranean herbs.
Watering
Allow soil to dry completely between waterings. Root rot is fatal and swift if kept wet.
Soil Mix
Alkaline and gritty. Add limestone grit to standard potting mix.
Fertilizer
Minimal. Excess nitrogen dilutes the flavor oils (Carvacrol).
Challenges
Fungal Leaf Spot during rainy season. Leggy, floppy growth from low light.
Maximize airflow. Pinch tips frequently to force bushy habit.
