How Do You Cut Cuban Oregano?

To harvest Cuban oregano, simply take a sharp pair of scissors and cut off a two-inch or longer portion of the main stem. You can remove about half of the stem at once. Cut it just above a pair of leaf nodes to encourage bushy growth instead of legginess.

How do you cut oregano so it keeps growing?

Use scissors or garden shears to remove stems from the plant. Cut back to just above a growth node or set of leaves. This will allow the plant to branch from the cut area and produce more flavorful leaves. Rinse the stems lightly if there is dust or mulch on them.

Does Cuban oregano come back every year?

Cuban oregano is one of those special plants that adds year-round beauty to your home and flavor to your dishes. Outdoors, it will grow as a perennial only in USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11, which makes it an ideal addition to your indoor kitchen garden if you don’t happen to live in those parts of the US.

How do I use fresh Cuban oregano?

But the best use of fresh Cuban oregano is in Caribbean recipes. Because the leaves are best used fresh, they can be put in a blender with other ingredients for a tangy marinade or chopped for a salsa, sautéed with garlic to flavor a pot of black beans or dipped in a light batter and fried.

Can you eat fresh Cuban oregano?

Cuban Oregano Uses
Modern applications use it as a substitute for Mediterranean oreganos, either dried or fresh. The leaves may be dried and crushed to add to meat dishes. Fresh leaves, in small amounts, are used in soups and stews, and in stuffing for poultry and other meat.

Does oregano regrow after cutting?

Trimming the plant too early could cause your plant to fail to thrive, so be patient. Luckily, oregano usually grows quickly. Pruning your oregano will encourage new growth. Not only will it grow more leaves, it’ll even grow more stems!

Should I cut back my oregano plant?

Oregano grows fast & benefits from a mid-season pruning right after flowering. That’ll stimulate even more of that tasty new growth. This is how the oregano looked before pruning – dense as can be with straggly stems way underneath.

Does Cuban oregano repel mosquitoes?

Less mystical and more practical, Cuban oregano can be used to keep mosquitoes away. Just rub the leaves on the skin as a natural insect repellent.

Can Cuban oregano survive winter?

Prune and shape to keep it tamed – Cuban Oregano’s habit, while not invasive at all, can be somewhat sprawly. Cuban Oregano won’t survive a winter outdoors here, but protected in a container over the winter, may survive to thrive again. This herb is a winner!

How big does Cuban oregano get?

This perennial evergreen herb reaches about 19 inches tall and has a spreading growth habit. With aromatic, velvety leaves, this herb makes a great addition to any garden.

What is Cuban oregano good for?

Cuban oregano leaves are used in traditional medicine to treat sore throats, colds, coughs, nasal congestion, infections, rheumatism and even flatulence. The home gardener will find Cuban oregano is an easy-to-grow plant that does well in pots and containers.

What does Cuban oregano taste like?

Cuban oregano has a strong, pungent and musky aroma, with a flavor profile that is similar to traditional Italian oregano with a hint of thyme.

Is Cuban oregano toxic to dogs?

Although this spice is not very toxic, it may still cause intense digestive disturbances in your pet, including vomiting and diarrhea. It has also been known to cause more serious side effects in some rare cases, such as decreased heart rate, low blood pressure, and ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract.

How do I use Cuban oregano for a sore throat?

People in this country add the dried out leaves of the herb in soup and give it to nursing mothers to improve breast milk production. On the other hand, herbalists in India blend Cuban oregano with sugar to prepare syrup, which has been traditionally used to cure sore throats and cough.

How do I cut my herbs so they keep growing?

Always cut your herbs with sharp, clean scissors or clippers. This prevents plant damage and promotes the growth of the plant. If you are pinching with your fingers, clean your hands before starting. Start snipping leaves from annual plants like Basil, cilantro, stevia and dill* as soon as the plant is strong.

How do you know when oregano is ready to pick?

When to Harvest Oregano. Harvest oregano just before the flowers start forming, that’s when it will have the best, most intense flavor. If you have a perennial patch, watch for it to be ready to harvest in early June.

Should I remove oregano flowers?

Oregano begins blooming in late spring or early summer depending on the variety. The spent flowers can be removed to keep the plants looking tidy and once the plants have finished flowering you can cut the plant down to ground level. Oregano is a perennial herb so it will grow back the following year.

Will oregano grow back after winter?

Some cold hardy herbs (mint, thyme, oregano, sage, and chives) are very well adapted. In areas with frost, they grow as perennials, going dormant in the winter and coming back with new growth in the spring.

How do you make oregano bushy?

Oregano spreads easily; in late spring, cut it back to one-third of its size in order to make the plant bushier.

Is Cuban oregano poisonous?

Though safe for humans to consume, it’s important to know that Cuban oregano – along with all other coleus plants – is toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Thanks to its pungent smell, it might attract your beloved pets, so consider growing it inside a fenced area.

What bugs does oregano repel?

Oregano – Mosquitos (can you tell I really don’t like this pest?), Cucumber beetle, Cabbage butterfly. While oregano repels many types of insects, they are susceptible to aphids, spider mites, and leafhoopers. Plant oregano near garlic, onions or chives to protect them from these insects.