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Growing Oregano
Planting, Growing, and Harvesting Oregano Plants
Planting, Growing, and Harvesting Oregano Plants
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Oregano is a perennial herb with rose-purple or white flowers and a taste reminiscent of thyme. Here’s how to grow oregano plants in your garden—plus, delicious recipes using oregano.
Oregano’s taste is zesty and strong and is commonly used in Italian dishes. It is a hardy plant and makes for a good ground cover.
Planting
- Oregano loves the sun, so ensure that your placement has full, strong sun for strong flavor. Some folks plant later in the season for assured warm weather.
- However, for a head start, plant the seeds/cuttings 6 to 10 weeks before the last spring frost. (See local frost dates.)
- Oregano can easily be started from seeds, though you can also use cuttings from an established plant.
- Plant the seeds/cuttings in well-drained soil anytime after the last spring frost. The soil should be around 70ºF.
- For thin plants, plant 8 to 10 inches apart. The plants will grow 1 to 2 feet tall and spread about 18 inches.
- Oregano makes a good companion plant for any vegetable in the garden.
Care
- Allow oregano plants to grow to about 4 inches tall and then pinch or trim lightly to encourage a denser and bushier plant.
- Regular trimming will not only cause the plant to branch again, but also avoid legginess.
- Oregano doesn’t need quite as much water as most herbs. As the amount of watering depends on many variables, just water when the soil feels dry to the touch. Remember that it’s better to water thoroughly and less often.
- If you have a container, water until the water comes out of the drainage holes in the bottom of the container.
- To ensure the best-quality plants, thin out plants that are 3 or 4 years old in the early spring. Oregano is self-seeding, so the plants will easily grow back.
- You can divide the plants in late spring if you want to put one indoors.
Pests/Diseases
- Root and stem rots
- Aphids
- Spider mites
Harvest/Storage
- Harvest the leaves as you need them. The most flavor-filled leaves are found right before the flowers bloom.
- You can freeze the leaves to use during the winter. Oregano leaves store well and are easily dried. Keep them in an airtight container once dried.
Recommended Varieties
- Greek oregano (Origanum vulgare var. hirtum) for cooking.
- Common oregano for decoration (its lavender flowers look pretty in the garden and are also used in wreaths).
Wit & Wisdom
- Oregano tea relaxes nerves and settles an upset stomach.
- Oregano was once used in many old-fashioned herbal remedies.
- For other greens to use in your cuisine, see the Leafy Greens: Health Benefits page.
- Oregano plants are said to symbolize “substance.” Find out more about plant meanings here.
Recipes
Cooking Notes
Oregano is an extremely useful herb that appears in countless remedies and tastes a bit like thyme. It is great to have in the kitchen, especially when fresh from the garden! Learn about more flavorful kitchen herbs here.
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Reader Comments
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Light green leaves
My oregano lives in the waterand was doing okay. But for some reason I noticed that the new sprouted leaves are light green in color. Its winter and i place it beside my window.
Oregano
I do not understand the difference between Greek Oregano and the decoration one. How do you tell the difference? Are there pictures of them? The one I have looks like the picture above. Thanks in advance.
culinary vs. ornamental oregano
Greek oregano is one of the most common types used in cooking. Its botanical name is: Origanum vulgare var. hirtum. There are lots of other oreganos within the same genus Origanum, as well as some that are in different genera and not true oreganos, such as Cuban oregano (Pectranthus amboinicus). Within the Origanum genus, there are several that are used just for ornamental value, and do not have as good or as intense a flavor; most are not used in cooking. For example, Origanum ‘Kent Beauty’, O. ‘Amethyst Falls’, O. ‘Rosenkuppel’, O. vulgare ‘Aureum’, or O. libanoticum. These are valued for their showier flowers/bracts, or colorful or curly leaves. Some types may have pink or purple flowers and purple, yellow, or bluish leaves. Origanum vulgare, the straight species of common oregano (also called wild marjoram), can be invasive and doesn’t have as much flavor; its flower is pink or purplish. It has several subspecies/varieties, one of which is Greek oregano. Greek oregano is a bit more compact, has a more intense flavor, and its flower is white; when the leaves are rubbed, they emit a strong scent. Greek oregano is not as attractive ornamentally as some species/varieties grown specifically for that purpose. Some oreganos will look very similar. Although sometimes plants are mislabeled (several types of oregano are sometimes sold as “Greek” oregano), it always helps to look at a label (if provided) to know which specific plant you are likely purchasing–especially check the botanical name, since common names sometimes are used for different plants. Hope this helps!
Oregano Blooms
When does oregano bloom? I planted two of them in pots last spring and they are now huge and really need pruning. In some of the comments, it is suggested that they be pruned just before blooming. So, I would like to wait until they get buds, but don’t want to wait too long or they will be two feet high. Thanks for any advice.
Oregano Bloom Time
Oregano blooms in mid- to late summer. Prune them in the spring and they will put out new growth for the summer!
What if I over-watered my plant
I may have over-watered my plant but I don't know for sure. Is my oregano plant gone for good or will it grow back?
come back
I had left the Oregano in pots and dried out in the greenhouse, without heat, all winter. Will it still come back? I am needing more greenhouse space, but don't want to kill them if there is a chance. Some of the flower bulbs and rhubarb that I left out in the same way are coming back but I don't see any progress on the oregano. I sell market plants, vegetables and canned goods and was experimenting with Oregano (from seed) last year for my tomato sauces. I cannot put perennials in the ground right now, as I may be moving one of these years.
How long does it take for roots to grow?
How long are the roots after one or two weeks from the time I stem-cut them? Is there an specific measure I should expect?
oregano trimming steps
We couldn’t tell you how long the roots beneath the soil are, but you should cut the tips of the stems after you have 4 to 6 leaves. This will help the plant produce side shoots for additional harvesting and also keep the bush compact and bushy.
oregano roots
When you trim the plant, it helps the plant to survive better, because the roots aren't required to support as many leaves. The roots will continue to grow deeper, while the plant replaces lost leaves. This results in a plant that is stronger and more able to survive drought.
relocating oregano
Already thinking about next year, I want to move my oregano to a sunnier spot after this season. Should I move it in the Fall when putting the garden to bed or wait till Spring and move it then?
thanks
When to Transplant Oregano
Generally, it’s safer to wait until spring to move your oregano, especially if you live in a place with particularly cold winters. If your winters are rather mild, transplanting in the fall shouldn’t be problematic, though.
Oregano
my plants have just finished blooming,,, Do I cut the stems off or leave them alone ??????
Oregano stems
Cutting off the flower stems will stimulate growth. Cut just below the flower.
Italian oregano vs Greek oregano
I have an oregano plant in my garden and want to plan another oregano plant which is different than I have now. How can I tell it is Italian oregano or Greek oregano?
oregano type
There are many different types or oregano. Many plants listed as Italian oregano in the nursery or garden store are actually marjoram. The only way to tell, that I know of, is to taste it. Oregano is spicy and numbs the tongue. Marjoram is not as strong of a flavor, but it is similar. If you really want to know that you have a specific strain of oregano, then order it from a specialty nursery that specializes in herbs.
Dried Oregano
I cut my oregano before a blizzard and dried it out. Most of the dried leaves are now black instead of green. Does the black color mean they are moldy and unfit for consumption? Or are they okay to store and eat?
black oregano leaves
If your plant were moldy, it’s more likely to have white or grey spots. Are they really black or brown or dark green? Without seeing them, it’s difficult to be certain, but they are probably dry.
Fit for consumption? This is also difficult to say at a distance, but here’s a thought: It is advised to cut green stems in fall and hang them to dry in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place. When the leaves become dry, it is advised to remove them from the stems and store them in containers. Does this sound like your treatment? your leaves?
You might crush a few, and smell them. Assuming they were not damp, display no mold, and crush (not mash as rotted or damp leaves might), they are probably fine.
Drying Oregano
Is it ok to dry oregano before the winter, after the plant had flowered already? I missed the harvest time and want to still have oregano for the winter. Will it just be less flavorful?
herbs after flower...
Leaves on oregano can be used at any stage of growth. In fact, cutting back blooms will stimulate growth.
Why is my plant dying??
My little guy grew a plant from seed for me in the spring. Stuck it in a nice sunny window until the hot weather hit and then put it outside - great! Once the weather started turning, I brought it inside and put it in the same sunny window - it's fall sunshine, but it's the best one in the house. Now the little guy is turning brown and shrivelling up - help? My son is heartbroken.
Is this plant oregano (and
Is this plant oregano (and therefore a perennial)? Was the plant transplanted directly into the ground during summer, or kept in a pot? The plant could be under stress for various reasons–could be transplant shock, from potting up from the outdoors and moving to an indoor location. If so, the plant might recover after a while. Also, some plants go dormant in winter, although gardeners usually can get oregano to produce throughout the colder months on a windowsill. Check for insects that may have come in on your plant, and monitor for disease. If you think the plant is not getting enough light, add grow lights (available from garden centers). Make sure you are not watering too much (allow soil to dry a bit between waterings), and that the pot has good drainage. Also check if it is too close to the glass or in a cold draft. Hope this helps!
When I harvest my oregano is
When I harvest my oregano is it oK to include the small flowers?
You should harvest only the
You should harvest only the leaves. If you are harvesting the entire plant, let the flowers set your schedule: Harvest just before the buds open. (If you happen to miss that this year, no worries.)
I have just received a Greek
I have just received a Greek oregano plant in the post from a Lincolnshire company. It is about 9 inches tall and I want to put it in a container on my patio. Can I leave it out over winter or will I need to bring it into my cold greenhouse?
If you're putting the oregano
If you're putting the oregano in a container, you can move the pot indoors in the winter. For plants in the ground, you need to protect them with lots of mulch and even a cold frame.
My oregano has been growing
My oregano has been growing well, getting lots of sun, etc. but I was away for a while and didn't do any trimming. Now the stems are long and leggy with few leaves at the base. If I cut them back short, will they sprout new leaves?
Your oregano plant will
Your oregano plant will benefit from an annual (or, depending on its growth habit) pruning. It should produce more leaves.
RE: Oregano and Watering-
RE: Oregano and Watering-
I live in central California, where we're experiencing a severe drought, in its 4th year. I planted my oregano last spring, pretty much ignored it all winter and went out to look out it last week: Its huge!
Tastes good too!
DON'T WATER YOUR OREGANO, (OR ROSEMARY OR BASIL FOR THAT MATTER!)
I live in south Florida and I
I live in south Florida and I bought my organic oregano as a plant. I have watered it and harvested much Oregano. Now it is looking very bare. It also shares a pot with mint. Should I stop watering it and put the mint in it's own pot? The mint is always trying to take over. Your advice would be appreciated. Thanks, please reply!
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