“I’ve fought enough with friend and foe, that borage ain’t ajwain
I’m so fed up, that I give up; never this plant again!”
Related Topics: How to Grow, Growing Organically & The Art of Propagation!
Botanical Name: Coleus amboinicus
Common names: Indian borage, country borage, Cuban oregano, French thyme, Indian mint, Mexican mint, soup mint, Spanish thyme.
Often confused for Ajwain, this is a semi-succulent perennial plant in the family Lamiaceae with a pungent oregano-like flavor and odor. It’s leaves are edible and make good pakoras when coated in batter and deep-fried.
SEASONS: Indian borage is an annual plant in temperate climates, but grows as a perennial in Mumbai’s tropical climate. It can be sown and grown all year round.
PROPAGATING: This plant is easily propagated from cuttings.
PLANTING OUT: Choose medium-composted, well-drained soil that could be alkaline, mildly acidic or neutral, as this plant will tolerate different soil types. It does however, produce the richest foliage in alkaline soils that are not too rich in organic matter. If you are using cuttings, choose sturdy, de-leafed stalks of freshly cut Indian borage, planting them a few inches into the soil. You can plant your cuttings in direct sunlight or partial shade, and spaced about 6 inches apart to allow room for growth. Indian borage will grow well on open plots or in containers.
NURTURING: Indian borage grows enthusiastically and requires very little nurturing besides watering and occasional pruning of dead leaves. It does not get preyed on by insects or other pests. Do not over-water this plant, and let it enjoy good sunlight and water, and it will keep you in good company and fine seasoning for years to come.
HARVESTING: Harvest tender, newer leaves as the plant grows. Indian borage will grow speedily and you will soon have lots to share with friends and family. After a few years, or if your stems turn yellowed and old, you can take cuttings for a new crop and uproot the older plant, composting it, replenishing the soil and using that space for growing fruiting or rooting veggies next.
Indian borage plants at two months – more than I can eat!
© Mumbai Farmer 2014. Do not copy in part or whole without prior written permission from the author. Infringement of copyright will render you liable for legal action.
Mumbai Farmer 
Very good article. It has removed my confusion on Oregano vis-a-vis Ajwain.
Is this plant available in nurseries of Mumbai and Kolkata?
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Thanks Shaukat! Oregano plants may not be easily available at nurseries. The best solution to getting one is to buy fresh, unrefrigerated oregano from upmarket food stores and then plant out their sturdiest stalks in soft, sunlit soil so it takes root and propagates. Good luck!
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yes its available in Mumbai.
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You can order oregano seeds and grow them, but finding it’s sapling is little difficult, yet you can try online
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Hi Gururaj…am not sure what crops you are referring to….
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In my home it’s growing very height…not growing evenly…pls tell me where to cut ajwain plant to grow evenly…
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Ajwain plants can be safely trimmed at the stem between leaf nodes. Insert cut stems in soil immediately and water for new plants to take root.
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I have dought I have bring ajwain plant after some month the pest has been come on whole plant so please him me how to rid the plant from the pest is their any fertilizer by I can save the plant or let him die
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Ajwain plants are usually very hardy and not prone to pest attacks. Are you sure your plant is getting at least 6 hours of sunlight a day? If pests continue, please trim the leaves and stems down to sturdy stalks. It will regrow from there. Alternatively, take cuttings shorn of leaves, plant in a sunny spot and water well. They will catch root soon.
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I am producer of Carom seeds in my farm ,
Want to meet with purchaser for this
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Thanks for writing in. Unfortunately this blogsite does not have a marketplace. Please try connecting with farming groups on facebook for this.
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Hi me Ruqia I have grown Ajwain seed but after sometime they destroyed.i will have to done MPhil research on Ajwain but it doesn’t grow.kindly help me which conditions given to sowing seeds of Ajwain.
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Hi Ruqia, Ajwain is super easy to grow from cuttings and if you can get some from the market or from friends, your problems will be solved! Here is the page on my Plantopedia which details the growing of Ajwain: https://mumbaifarmer.com/what-to-grow/growing-ajwain-in-mumbai/
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I also tried many times to grow it from cutting but not succeed…In pune
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Hi, are there different varieties of ajwain plants? The plant shown in the picture, is it the same plant from which carom seeds are harvested?
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Yes, the seeds are harvested from a different variety of carom plants.
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Thanks for the clarification !!
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Kindly answer following questions:
1. Can i put ajwain seeds in pot directly to grow this tree?
2. If i put around 20-30 seeds, in how many days, i can expect saplings? and
3. Will the ajwain tree available in market and grown from ajwain seeds would be same?
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Yes, well-preserved ajwain seeds will grow in a sterile and clean potting medium. I would estimate saplings to emerge within a couple of weeks. I have not seen ajwain leaves being sold in any Mumbai markets yet. However, the ajwain plant is readily found in Mumbai nurseries and once you get one, you can propagate from cuttings very easily, more easily than from seed.
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how can the leaves be used in cooking ? we normally use seeds.
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Ajwain leaves are usually eaten as a tea-time snack, fried as pakoras in a chane ke atta batter. I’ve tried that. They’re pretty yummy!
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Hello,
I need Ajwain Plants 50 nos
Can you supply?
Thanks and regards,
Atul Vaze
Pune
Mobile : 9822378288
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Hi Atul, thanks for your inquiry. We’d be glad to supply. Our office will be in touch. Have a nice day!
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Is this ahwan or cuban oregano/mexican mint/indian borage? The leaves look like that only..
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Hi there.. good article. I have a problem with my ajwain plant.. please help! The plant is sprouting many leaves almost too many…however the leaves are small in size and don’t grow beyond 1-2 cms in size. The plant is kept in full sunlight and watered once a day. Looking to your advice. Thanks!
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Hi Kanchan, it’s difficult to tell without pictures. However, if the plant was growing bigger leaves in the past and smaller now, one reason could be (water and sunlight being equal) lack of nutrition. Ajwain would thrive on a nitrogen rich potting medium – think compost – and you would not go wrong with sprinkling some gobar and epsom salts in the mix.
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How frequently should I water it?
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Most plants require a daily watering.
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Can I use a shallow dish as planter for ajwain
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Well, it depends on how shallow it is. I’d recommend at least 6-8 inches of potting mix as ajwain roots grow deep.
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Hi, it’s good information, can we get its fresh leaves only for commercial purposes.
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