Plectranthus amboinicus

Plectranthus amboinicus
Common Names: Five in One, Mother of Herbs, Broad-leaf Thyme, Big Thyme (West Indies), Cuban Oregano, Spanish Thyme, Orégano Brujo (Puerto Rico), Indian Borage, Country Borage, Húng chanh (Vietnam), Big Thyme (Grenada) Mexican Thyme and Mexican Mint
Family: Lamiaceae
Synonym: Coleus amboinicus

This fleshy-leaved semi-prostrate herb, thought to be native to Africa, grows wild in Malaysia but is commonly seen in Australian gardens and elsewhere as a popular pot specimen or herb garden plant – outdoors in the tropics and subtropics, container plant in cooler frost-prone areas.

The common plain green leaf form is best in part shade, however the vareigated form (Plectranthus amboinicus ‘Variegatus’) appears to colour far better when grown in full sun to part shade. When grown in a shaded and protected location, the spreading semi-prostrate stems can ramble over the ground to form a groundcover and may even scramble over (and up) low shrubs. When grown in full sun, the plain green leaf form exhibits sun stress and leaves can become pale and somewhat bleached. However, the variegeted form becomes much more compact with shorter internodes, tight and thick leaves, and more pronounced red tint colouration especially during the drier season.

The terminal flower spike is a single stalk, rarely if ever, with branching.

The leaf is particularly pungent and regarded by many as similar to thyme. Indian Borage is not often used in Asian cuisine, although it is sometimes added sparingly to fish or goat meat curries in Malaysia or Java to counteract the strong smell. Just one very finely chopped leaf can be added to Western-style bread stuffing with a pleasant result.

Indians use this plant medicinally as a cough cure.

Tagged as: herbs, subtropical, Sydney, warm climate