Plectranthus amboinicus ~ Mother Herb

This herb has SO MANY names I wont even start on them. This is mine. I use it for tea, cooking, room deodorants and as an insect repellent. It will grow just by shoving a branch of it in some dirt, it's not fussy. It's my second most beloved herb in all the world!

 

Nice, healthy looking specimen you have there

If that is your second most beloved herb ... which is your first?

 

I'd never considered Plectranthus as an edible! I grow Plectranthus argentatus for its ornamental value...............
Plectranthus argentatus by longk48, on Flickr

Plectranthus argentatus by longk48, on Flickr

One that I really do want but appears to be impossible to source here in the UK is Plectranthus australis "Mona Lavender"...............

 

@"M" Thank you! My first favorite is Vietnamese Mint.

@longk Your Plectranthus looks great I couldn't say if all of them are edible or not, I only know that my variety is. All of my plants with the exception of my one Dahlia, must be either edible or healing in one way or another. Flowering plants that I can't eat are pretty and all, but I don't have the space nor the ground to accommodate them right now. Thanks so much for the pics!

 

Where in Australia do you live!

 

@longk Haha yes I know...Aussieland is pretty huge but this summer I am staying at my country cottage property which is too small and the soil is dreadful which is why it's horse land and not crops or pretty flowers. It's also why I grow everything in pots here with the exception being my Mother Herb, and also because they can be moved, whenever I do.

 

How do you prepare it for tea, cooking, and so on? I doubt if it would be available here, but it would be fascinating to know.

 

Hello Mr Grounds For tea, one just breaks off a leaf and breaks that in half and pops it in some hot water and it's ready to sip! Great for taking along the Tanami For cooking, I love it best with chicken dishes and once again.. just pick and chop and add. The smell of this plant is amazing, it's eucalyptus ish and for a wonderful room deodorizer I just crush the leaves and leave them in a dish or open container of any sort. For repellant, just crush and rub it on.

Here's some more information on it Plectranthus amboinicus - Wikipedia

 

I have been looking into this plant and its uses.

Its very rare here, and can only be successfully grown indoors. Or at least, indoors for most of the year. Two things I found interesting. The Swedish name for the family translates as "November Light." The actual name is difficult to translate. Spicy Male Mountainer (not mountaineer)

 

So.. here's a dish of Spicy Male Mountainer with Chicken, Chili and parsley. Enjoy! And let me know if there's too much pepper for you there..

 

A bit of salt and it was perfect!

 

have to look up. thanks. Mother Herb.

 

Hi @redstar I use a fragrance and dye free dish detergent and with the water that would normally go down the sink.. it gets poured over this herb instead. It grows in a spot that gets covered with spent eucalyptus leaves and it couldn't care less. Looks amazing and as well as a gorgeous ground dweller, it is one of the most beautiful ornamental cascading herbs that could ever be put in a hanging basket or tall pot. SO worth the effort to try and grow this one, It has uses for life in every direction and a broken sprig of it will last for months without water or soil.