PlantFiles: False Oregano
Lippia micromera

Excellent used as a substitute for oregano. Even taste better than oregano in chicken and pork dishes.

This plant is really easy to grow from cuttings. Sometimes grows from seed but its kind of slow growing from seeds. I grow some of them from seeds just for Biodiversity reasons. Come true from seeds.

In Puerto Rico is mislabeled as Lippia graveolens by Botanists, Agronomist and nursery owners. Even at the principal Agriculture Institution of the island the professors there call the plant Lippia graveolens.

It prefers semi alkaline soil but can grow in slightly acidic soils. Prefers semi-arid conditions and needs good drainage but can have heavy rain falls without damage if drainage is good. Flowers are small but pretty. Butterflies love it.

The most important point about this plant is that its taste better dried than fresh. If you like spicy oregano flavor you will love this plant.

You can grow it inside during the winter in small pots and plant it outside once the danger of frost has passed. It grows fast so you will have enough dried herb for all the year once the winter came again and you can continue growing the new cuttings inside winter after winter.

A traditional puertorrican condiment for meats is made from fresh crushed garlic, fresh grinded black pepper, sea salt and this dried herb. In the island the people call it "Oregano Chiquito" that means "small oregano". Try it in your next barbecue.

This plant is a small shrub that will take pruning and shaping with ease. It grows best in full sun. The small 1/4 inch leaves are an excellent substitute for oregano. It is much like Rosemary in habit ,needs and behavior.