Indian borage
Plectranthus amboinicus

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A small hairy rather succulent herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It is erect. It grows up to about 50 cm high. The base of the stem becomes woody when old. The fleshy leaves are in opposite pairs. They are egg shaped with teeth around the edge. The leaves are yellowish green and hairy. The flowers are around a central stalk and are small and pale purple. The leaves have a sweet smell.

There are about 250 Plectranthus species. They are mainly in the tropics.

Where it is found

It needs warm subtropical climates. It suits hardiness zone 10. In Fiji it grows from sea level to 250 m altitude. It often grows in rocky and sandy areas.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andes, Angola, Asia, Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Central Africa, Central America, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Eswatini, Fiji, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesser Antilles, Malaysia, Marquesas, Middle East, Mozambique, Nauru, North America, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, St Lucia, Swaziland, Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, USA, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Wallis & Futuna, West Indies, West Timor, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves have a sweet smell and used to flavour food. They are used like sage in seasonings and stuffing. They are used to flavour soup. The leaves are used for flavouring meat. (It is a substitute for sage.) Only one leaf is used. They are steeped in water to make tea.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Leaves, spice, herb

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Acherang, Ai reag supo, Ajerang, Bangun-bangun, Can day la, Can Day, Chi sloek kra, Coleus, Country borage, Cuban oregano, Daun bangun-bangun, Daun kambing, Daun kuching, False oregano, Five seasons herb, Five-in-one, French thyme, Hati-hati, Hom duan huu suea, Hortela-de-galinha, Hung chanh, Husia, Indian borage, Indian mint, Jamaikathymian, Karpuravalli, Mexican mint, Niam huu suea, Oregano, Pashanabhedi, Patherchur, Pathorchur, Pathurchur, Pok-hor, Pudina, Rau cang, Sivumba, Soup mint, Spanish mint, Spanish thyme, Suganda, Tan la day, Thick-leaf-thyme, Thom long, Three-in-one herb, Yin dub bo he

Synonyms

Coleus amboinicus Lour.; Coleus aromaticus Benth.; Coleus carnosus Hassk.; Coleus crassifolius Benth.; Coleus subfrutectosus Summerh.; Coleus suganda Blanco; Coleus vaalae (Forssk.) Deflers; Majana amboinica (Lour.) Kuntze; Majana camosa (Hassk.) Kuntze; Majana suganda (Blanco) Kuntze; Ocimum vaalae Forssk.;