Aztec sweet herb (Lippia dulcis)
Care, watering, light and tips for Aztec sweet herb on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Verbenaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 3 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
About Aztec sweet herb
Lippia dulcis, commonly known as Aztec Sweet Herb or Sweetleaf, is a small, perennial trailing plant or subshrub, valued for its sweet, liquorice-like leaves. It's ideal for ground cover in warm climates or as a hanging plant in pots, adding an exotic and edible touch to gardens and balconies.
Native range
Mexico and Central America
Care tips
It prefers bright indirect light or partial shade, avoiding intense direct sun which can scorch its leaves. Watering should be moderate, allowing the substrate to dry out slightly between waterings to prevent waterlogging, to which it is very sensitive. Use a well-draining substrate rich in organic matter. A common mistake is overwatering, which leads to root rot.
How to save a dying Aztec sweet herb
- Warning signs
- Yellowish or brown leaves, wilted and lifeless. Leaf drop.
- First aid
- Check watering (moist but not soggy soil), place in bright partial shade, away from drafts. Consider repotting if in a small pot.
- What kills it
- Overwatering rotting roots or extreme drought. Also intense direct sun or total lack of light.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if roots aren't completely rotten or main stem still has some green. Act quickly.