Is Cuban oregano (touch-me-not) toxic? Is it suitable for growing indoors?

Cuban oregano is a potted plant with a unique fragrance, famous for its scent that closely resembles apple aroma, and many people want to grow it, so is Cuban oregano toxic? Is it suitable for growing indoors?

1. Basic introduction to Cuban oregano

Cuban oregano is a subshrub-like perennial herbaceous plant of the Lamiaceae family and the genus Plectranthus, much branched, with the whole plant covered in fine dense white fuzz. Succulent leaves, decussate, green, ovate, with bluntly serrate margins. Stems slender, prostrate, many-branched, leaves round, leaf blades fuzzy, flowers small, white.

Because touching its leaves releases a fragrance, it is named “Cuban oregano”.

Cuban oregano originated in the Cape of Good Hope in Africa, Europe and southwestern Asia, and was later introduced to China. It likes warmth and fears cold, with a suitable temperature of 25°C~30°C. In winter it needs a temperature above 5°C~10°C; below 5°C it grows poorly and is prone to frost damage, so it needs to be cultivated indoors or in a greenhouse.

2. Is Cuban oregano toxic? Is it suitable for growing indoors?

Cuban oregano itself is not toxic, and it is also suitable for growing indoors, but people who are prone to allergies had best grow Cuban oregano outdoors to avoid triggering allergies.

Besides indoor greening, Cuban oregano can also be used for brewing tea, making wine, cooking and so on, with many uses.

3. Notes on growing Cuban oregano

1. Cuban oregano is not tolerant of waterlogging; after summer, be sure to water it less, and in winter control watering even more. If the method is not operated properly, it will cause the leaves to turn yellow.

2. Cuban oregano is often cultivated in greenhouses year-round, requiring air circulation and freshness, otherwise it is susceptible to scale insect damage, which causes the leaves to turn yellow, so it should be placed in a well-ventilated area for growing.

3. Cuban oregano likes sunlight; only in an environment with sufficient sunlight will the succulent leaves be thick, and with insufficient light the leaves will become flat and thin. The time placed in light should be appropriate, and too high a temperature will also cause the leaves to turn yellow.