Introducing Tropical Herbs: A Vibrant Addition to Your Garden
Welcome to our tropical paradise! My name is Melanie, and I’m excited to share with you some amazing heat and sun-tolerant herbs that thrive under the South Florida sun. Whether you have a food forest garden or simply a love for all things tropical, these herbs are a must-have in your collection. So sit back, relax, and let’s dive into the world of flavorful and fragrant herbs.
Let’s start with lemongrass, a true gem in the herb world. Not only does it add a burst of citrusy aroma to your garden, but it also boasts both medicinal and culinary benefits. From fever-alleviating teas to seasoning your favorite dishes (especially popular in Thai cooking), lemongrass is a versatile herb that will elevate your culinary creations. Plus, its clumping growth pattern and elegant long blades make it a stunning addition to any garden.
Next up, we have garlic chives. These petite plants may be small in stature, but they pack a garlicky punch that will elevate any dish. Perfect for bordering plants due to their compact size, garlic chives also produce ornamental flower stalks that add a touch of beauty to your garden. Just remember to pinch off the flowers to prevent them from spreading and becoming invasive. With their ability to self-seed and spread through divisions, you’ll soon have an abundance of garlic chives to enjoy.
Now, let’s talk about the African blue basil. This herb takes basil to a whole new level with its intense flavor and aroma. A little goes a long way, so use it sparingly in your cooking. Not only is it a culinary delight, but it also attracts beneficial insects, particularly bees, with its beautiful flowers. By planting African blue basil in your garden, you’ll not only enjoy its vibrant presence but also support pollination for your other plants.
Last but not least, we have culantro, the herb that shares a name resemblance with cilantro but boasts a distinct flavor of its own. Popular in Latin American and Asian cuisines, culantro adds a unique twist to your dishes. While not a perennial plant, culantro generously self-seeds, ensuring a constant supply in your food forest garden. Its compact size makes it a versatile herb that can be tucked into any available space.
And let’s not forget about Cuban oregano, a shade-loving herb that thrives in the coolness of your garden. With both culinary and medicinal uses, Cuban oregano is a true multi-purpose herb. Sip on a soothing tea to ease sore throats and coughs, or infuse your dishes with its aromatic flavor. While it may prefer the shade, it can tolerate some sun if needed.
These tropical herbs are not only a feast for the senses but also a valuable addition to any garden. From their delightful aromas to their culinary and medicinal benefits, they bring a touch of exotic flair to your gardening endeavors. So why wait? Embark on your tropical herb journey and transform your garden into a paradise of flavors and fragrances.
Which one of the herbs I mentioned are you going to try growing? Let me know down below.
Very good ! So many things you can grow in the tropical areas 😊
I notice Cuban oregano doesn’t have any pests. So it can be used as a pest deterrent when planted near other plants!
Hi! Just came across your video and I’m amazed your growing culantro in south Florida! Where did you find it? I would like to start growing it as my cilantro didn’t take
lemon grass grow in hot deserts too .. i grew it in Dubai, where tempreatures can reach 51 degrees celcius
hi, I grew some herbs you mention in the video like garlic chives and lemongrass here in hot tropical climate in indonesia. another herbs that I grow are green onion, lemon basil, mint, pandan (it has vanilla-ey, nutty fragrance, also repels mosquitoes. common use in sweet desert that has coconut milk in it. best companion)
Happy that I randomly came across this
Great info! I live in Cape Coral and haven't really done anything to improve the sand, but the rosemary I planted in December seems to be doing quite well. Also, the basil I planted over a year ago in a pot flowered and went to seed. So I spread those seeds in new pots and now have a dozen plants. I will look for the Culantro plant – hoping it's available locally!
I’m so happy to find this I live in South Florida (Broward) and have been looking for guidance. I have been having a difficult time finding Organic herbs at Home Depot do you think it matters if I’m using organic soil, Organic Fertilizer etc. I definitely won’t be using anything non organic after buying them. Thanks for the great video!
loved all your info.. taking notes! excited to grow them all especially lemongrass.
Your video is well done thank you
What do you grow your herbs and plants in? I live in the Naples area, and my dirt, is well…..really sand. Would you recommend digging up a lot of the dirt and replacing it to grow in the ground? Or are these types of tropical plants used to the dirt we have here? Or would you just recommend potting everything?
Thanks for the information. Beautifully delivered.
You know anything about growing lavender in the Caribbean? I am considering in a pot…
I will be moving to the Caribbean so I want to grow lavender, basil (which I know it can be done), borage, sage and comfrey…among other medicinal herbs.
I have some Thai Basil in a pot but lately they look sad and yellow. I live in Miami I'm not sure if it's the heat that is killing them and the same goes for my Jalapeno plant.
yeah living in south florida, I'm having a lot of trouble growing traditional herbs, most guides on the internet are for people living in the mid states, but here i feel like the sun is burning all my plants
I have Cuban oregano growing 😁 my aunt has tons of them. Could u show a video of how to get new lemon grass plants from the new growths?
Another great, informative video. I love culantro – even though it's not technically a perennial, it does have a pretty long life span (I think I've heard it's technically a biennial, lasting for two years). it's a lot easier to keep it going as potted plant for a long time than cilantro, for snipping off a few leaves when I'm making a dish that can use that cilantro/culantro flavor and aroma. People in Florida often try and fail at growing the northern herbs, when there are delicious tropically adapted herbs like the ones in this video that do really well here.
That’s really interesting and you explain it simply and well! Thank you for giving me the information I was looking for.
I’m growing Cuban Oregano.
We use it to season food and also to make tea for colds.