How to Root Cuban Oregano

Cuban oregano (Plectranthus amboinicus) occurs naturally in southeastern Africa and is widely naturalized in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. In many areas, Cuban oregano is cultivated as an ornamental or culinary herb for its fleshy, serrated leaves and intense herbal fragrance, which features prominently in the cooking and traditional medicine of many Caribbean cultures. Like most mint relatives, Cuban oregano propagates reliably from cuttings and will quickly produce a viable root system, but it must be rooted in a warm, shaded location to reach its full potential.

Things You'll Need

4-inch plastic pot
Potting soil
Compost
Medium-grit sand

Floral snips
0.1-percent IBA (indole butyric acid) rooting hormone
Large plastic bag
Plant mister

Instructions

- 1
  Fill a 4-inch plastic pot with equal measures moistened potting soil, compost and medium-grit sand.
- 2
  Take a 3- to 5-inch-long cutting from the tip of a Cuban oregano stem in late spring or early summer. Choose a stem with no flower buds and an abundance of foliage.
- 3
  Make the cut just below a set of leaves, using a pair of floral snips or pruning shears. Pluck off and discard the leaves from the lower half of the cutting.
- 4
  Dip the end of the Cuban oregano cutting into 0.1-percent IBA rooting hormone. Gently shake or tap off any excess hormone.
- 5
  Insert the lower half of the Cuban oregano cutting into the rooting pot up to its lowest set of leaves. Pinch the soil firm around the base.
- 6
  Place the potted Cuban oregano cutting inside a large plastic bag. Close the bag to hold the warm, humid air around the cutting.
- 7
  Set the cutting outdoors in a warm, partially shaded spot. Keep it out of direct sunlight during the rooting process to prevent it from wilting.
- 8
  Mist the soil surrounding the Cuban oregano cutting when the top 1/2 inch dries out. Close the bag after misting the soil.
- 9
  Check for roots in two to three weeks. Transplant the rooted Cuban oregano plant into a larger permanent pot or directly into a partially shaded outdoor bed.

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