PlantFun
Plant Needs
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade; thrives in bright, direct sunlight for most of the day; tolerates light shade in hot climates
Watering
Allow top 2 cm of soil to dry between waterings; avoid overwatering to prevent root rot
Temperature
Hardy to -15°C; tolerates hot, dry summer conditions well; protect from prolonged frost in extreme cold
Characteristics
- Leaf: Small, oval to lanceolate, gray-green, fuzzy texture, aromatic when crushed
- Flower: Tiny pink to purple tubular blooms in terminal clusters; attractive to bees
- Stem: Square, woody at base, branching upright growth
Care Guide
Watering
Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy
Fertilization
Light, diluted balanced feed once monthly. Avoid over-fertilizing to preserve the plant's aromatic oil content
Eggshell powder topdressing：Crush dried eggshells into fine powder; sprinkle 1 tsp per plant around the base to boost soil calcium and improve drainagePruning
- Pinch back young growth to encourage bushy, compact habit and increase foliage production
- Deadhead spent flowers to prolong blooming and prevent unwanted self-seeding
- Cut back to 10 cm above soil in late autumn to promote healthy regrowth in the following spring
- Remove any yellow or damaged foliage to maintain plant health and appearance
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets & Humans
Pets: ASPCA: Non-toxic to cats; no known adverse effects
Humans: Non-toxic to humans; safe for culinary and medicinal use
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: Used in Mediterranean cuisine; symbolizes joy and happiness in some European folk traditions
Usage: Culinary herb, medicinal tea ingredient, pollinator garden plant
