Cuban oregano (plectranthus amboinicus) is a very popular garden variety. Its leaves are fleshy and plump, looking very endearing, and they have a fresh fragrance. After touching them, a fresh, pleasant scent remains on your fingers, which is why it is named "touch-me-and-it-smells". Cuban oregano loves sunlight and warmth, and fears the cold. So the problem of growing Cuban oregano in winter stumps many friends. So how exactly should Cuban oregano be grown in winter?

Winter growing methods for Cuban oregano

1. Reduce watering

In late autumn and early winter, the temperature gradually drops. At this time, reduce how often you water Cuban oregano, and water appropriately when you see the soil surface is dry. It can also get a little rain. On sunny days, Cuban oregano should be given sunlight. And place it in an open, sunny spot, which lets Cuban oregano grow better.

2. Cover for insulation

In early winter, when there is frost, keep the potting soil dry, and continue to let Cuban oregano receive light. If it is placed inside a balcony, you can water it in moderation. Stop fertilizing. For Cuban oregano placed in the open, cover it with plastic sheeting at night and uncover it during the day to continue receiving light, but leave ventilation holes in the plastic sheeting.

3. Low-temperature handling

When it reaches zero degrees or the temperature is lower, move Cuban oregano from the open air to inside a balcony or an indoor spot with light, and still let Cuban oregano get sunlight. The balcony should be kept ventilated, and you can often open the windows so Cuban oregano gets fresh air and grows better. And when it is below zero, stop watering. At night, pay even more attention to finding suitable coverings to keep the temperature up.

4. Winter care period

After Cuban oregano is protected against freezing in winter, it can stay in place until spring. During this period, the main task is keeping it warm. When early spring arrives, you can let Cuban oregano get a bit more sun, but there is no need to water it that early. In short, wait until it is truly warm before watering. Then after the temperature rises, it will welcome a new round of growth.

Now that the winter growing methods for Cuban oregano have been introduced, surely friends have become interested in Cuban oregano! So do you know why Cuban oregano only becomes fragrant after being touched?

Why Cuban oregano only produces fragrance after being touched

The reason Cuban oregano gives off fragrance is similar to the principle behind the mimosa's "shyness". When its leaves are stimulated by touch, the water inside the cells acts, changing the turgor pressure of the leaf cushion. Unlike the mimosa, the leaves of Cuban oregano do not contract under turgor pressure; instead, the stomata used for air exchange inside expand, and a volatile substance with an apple scent diffuses through the stomata into the air. In fact, Cuban oregano normally also gives off a faint fragrance, but this fragrance is relatively light and not easily noticed. When its leaves are touched, the leaf stomata expand, the fragrance is released, and people smell it, giving the impression that it becomes fragrant as soon as it is touched.

Alright, that's all for today's introduction. How is your Cuban oregano doing in winter?