Lippia alba

Pitiona, also known as Hierba Negra, Pamporegano, Juanilama or Poleo, is an aromatic evergreen shrub native to the Caribbean and Central and South America. This intriguing herb is a common culinary ingredient in Latin America, but little-known outside its native range. Pitiona is popular in Mexico in traditional mole recipes and in Central America it is commonly enjoyed brewed as an herbal tea. While many people consume this plant for purported medicinal qualities, the most important thing is that it is delicious. There are multiple varieties of Pitiona and our plants fall into the ‘myrcenone’ chemotype. The flavor of Pitiona is complex, with predominantly musky and spicy notes but with a hint of pepper, wood, licorice, mint, and lavender undertones.

Plants grow between three and six feet high and wide and prefer part sun and well-draining soil. Pitiona is somewhat drought tolerant once established. We recommend regularly pruning Pitiona shrubs to give them a denser appearance. Attractive lavender-colored, fragrant flowers can blossom throughout the summer and are popular with pollinators.

Cold hardy to zone 9a or to 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

For sale are 1 pint potted plants