Verbenaceae
Aztec Sweet Herb: Ground Cover Plant
Phyla dulcis
Aztec Sweet Herb loves full sun and light, well-drained soil. Watering should be moderate – the soil should be allowed to dry out slightly between waterings, as waterlogging harms the roots and promotes disease. The plant is heat-loving and frost-hardy only to approximately zones 9b–12b (it will not survive outdoors where it freezes), so it is grown as a container or indoor herb that can be moved outside during summer. During the growing season, it benefits from light fertilization with a low-nitrogen fertilizer and occasional pruning to encourage bushier growth.
Every 7 days
Bright indirect
10° - °C
% - %
Categories
What is Aztec Sweet Herb?
Aztec Sweet Herb (Phyla dulcis) is a easy-care plant from the Verbenaceae family. Aztec Sweet Herb (Phyla dulcis, syn. Lippia dulcis) is a perennial herb in the Verbenaceae family, native to southern Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean (Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico), and northern South America (Colombia, Venezuela). The Aztecs used it as a natural sweetener and medicinal herb...
Aztec Sweet Herb grows up to 30cm, spread of 100cm, watering every 7 days. It is suitable for indoor environments and not safe for pets.
Unlike many tropical plants, Aztec Sweet Herb tolerates watering mistakes. Best for beginners. Without precautions, ingestion can cause irritation in pets. Keep out of reach of cats and dogs. Without adequate drainage, root rot can develop within 14 days.
How to Care for Aztec Sweet Herb?
TLDR: Aztec Sweet Herb needs Bright indirect, watering every 7 days, and temperatures between 10-30°C with 40-70% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Aztec Sweet Herb?
Water moderately but regularly – the soil should dry out slightly between waterings, but should never remain permanently wet. Overwatering the root system promotes the development of rot and fungal diseases.
How Much Light Does Aztec Sweet Herb Need?
Requires full sun to light partial shade. It blooms most profusely in full sun; in deeper shade, it becomes sparse and stretches toward the light.
What Is the Best Soil for Aztec Sweet Herb?
Prefers light, sandy-loam to well-drained soil mixed with compost, ideally with a pH around 6.0–8.0. Good drainage is crucial to prevent waterlogging of the roots.
What Pot Should You Use for Aztec Sweet Herb?
Due to its creeping to trailing growth habit (shoots up to 1 m long), it is ideal for hanging baskets or wide bowls with drainage holes and a permeable substrate.
What Is Aztec Sweet Herb and Where Does It Come From?
Aztec Sweet Herb (Phyla dulcis, syn. Lippia dulcis) is a perennial herb in the Verbenaceae family, native to southern Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean (Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico), and northern South America (Colombia, Venezuela). The Aztecs used it as a natural sweetener and medicinal herb long before the arrival of Europeans; it was first scientifically described in the 16th century by Spanish physician Francisco Hernández. The leaves contain an extremely sweet substance called hernandulcin, but also contain camphor, so they should only be consumed in small quantities. The plant forms low, creeping to trailing mats with tiny white flowers and is popular in hanging baskets as well as a groundcover.
How to Propagate Aztec Sweet Herb?
How Big Does Aztec Sweet Herb Grow?
TLDR: Aztec Sweet Herb can reach up to 30cm tall with Fast growth rate.
Max height
30cm
Spread
1.0m
Growth rate
Fast
Foliage
Evergreen
Warning: Toxic Plant
This plant can be toxic if ingested. Keep out of reach of:
Plant Uses
Edible
Can be consumed
Medicinal
Medicinal properties
Aromatic
Pleasant fragrance
Ground Cover
Soil coverage
Medicinal Uses
- Traditional folk remedy for coughs and respiratory colds (therapeutic effect is not clinically proven)
- Historically used by the Aztecs as a medicinal herb
Culinary Uses
- Dried leaves are used to sweeten drinks, teas, and dishes as a sugar alternative
- Suitable for diabetics due to the non-caloric sweetener hernandulcin
- Used only in small quantities due to the camphor content, which is toxic in larger doses
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What Diseases Commonly Affect Aztec Sweet Herb?
TLDR: Aztec Sweet Herb is susceptible to 5 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Aphids
Aphids are small, soft-bodied, pear-shaped insects (1/16 to 1/8 inch long) that feed by sucking nutrient-rich sap from plants. They reproduce rapidly and can quickly weaken plants, causing distorted growth and transmitting plant viruses. Aphids come in various colors including green, black, red, yellow, brown, and gray. They secrete honeydew, a sticky substance that attracts ants and encourages sooty mold growth.
Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew is a common fungal disease caused by various fungi species including Erysiphe, Podosphaera, Oïdium, and Leveillula. It affects over 10,000 plant species worldwide. The disease thrives in warm, dry climates with high humidity and appears as a distinctive white powdery coating on plant surfaces.
Root Rot
Root rot is a serious fungal disease that affects the root system of plants, causing them to decay and die. It is primarily caused by overwatering, poor drainage, or soil-borne fungi such as Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium. The disease thrives in waterlogged conditions where roots are deprived of oxygen, making them susceptible to fungal infection.
Rust
Rust is a common fungal disease caused by fungi in the order Pucciniales that affects a wide variety of plants. The disease gets its name from the characteristic orange, yellow, or reddish-brown pustules that appear on leaves, resembling metal rust. This obligate fungal parasite requires living plants to survive and can cause significant economic losses in agricultural crops.
Meaning & Symbolism
The plant is tied to Aztec tradition – the indigenous people of Mexico used it as a natural sweetener and medicinal herb even before the arrival of Europeans. In the 16th century, it was scientifically described by Spanish physician Francisco Hernández, after whose legacy the sweet substance hernandulcin contained in the leaves is named.
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