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Botanical name: Phyla dulcis
A trailing perennial that spreads like mint, producing tiny white flower clusters in spring and fall; foliage is dense, green, and toothed; has historically been used as a sweet herb, but this is not recommended because of toxic compounds.
Other names: syn. Lippia dulcis, syn. Phyla scaberrima
| Hardiness zone | 7a |
|---|---|
| Flower color | white |
| Foliage type | deciduous * |
| Plant form | spreading |
| Mature height | 8 inches |
| Spread | 4 feet |
| Light requirements | full sun to partial shade |
| Moisture requirements | average to moist |
| Plant origin | import |
* deciduous = loses leaves in winter
Aztec Sweet Herb features dainty clusters of white flowers at the ends of the stems from late spring to mid fall. Its attractive serrated oval leaves remain green in color throughout the season. The fruit is not ornamentally significant.
Aztec Sweet Herb is a dense herbaceous perennial with a ground-hugging habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.
This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;
Spreading
Aztec Sweet Herb is recommended for the following landscape applications;
General Garden Use, Groundcover, Container Planting
Aztec Sweet Herb will grow to be about 8 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 4 feet. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 4 feet apart. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years.
This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America, and parts of it are known to be toxic to humans and animals, so care should be exercised in planting it around children and pets.
Aztec Sweet Herb is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Because of its spreading habit of growth, it is ideally suited for use as a 'spiller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the edges where it can spill gracefully over the pot. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.
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