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How to Grow Oregano Plants: The Complete Guide

Photo Credit
Pixabay
Botanical Name
Origanum
Plant Type
Herb
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Bloom Time
Summer
Flower Color
Pink
Purple
White
Hardiness Zone
4
5
6
7
8
9
11

Planting, Growing, and Harvesting Oregano Plants

Catherine Boeckmann
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Oregano is a must-have culinary herb to grow in a garden or container—as well as an attractive ground cover. Discover more about oregano, from growing information to culinary tips.

About Oregano

This growing guide is about true oregano, called Greek oregano (Origanum vulgare hirtum). It’s a robust and flavorful herb with a peppery bite and a minty aroma. In Greek, the word oregano means “joy of the mountain.”

Oregano adds savory flavor to pizza, tomato sauce, and anything tomato, as well as cooked summer vegetables such as zucchini and eggplant, a Greek salad, kabobs, roasted potatoes, white beans, a vinaigrette, and any egg dish. Its  aromatic leaves can be used fresh or dried

It’s a perennial woody herb that grows from 1 to 2 feet tall in an open, loose style that spreads to 18 inches wide (or more). It bears gray-green leaves and pretty white flowers, but do not let the herb flower for the best-tasting leaves.

Oregano is hardy to zone 4 plant, though some gardeners say it’s only hardy to zone 5. It can be growing in the ground or in pots. Indoors, this herb can be successful year-round, but will it need grow lights for those who can not offer 5 to 6 hours of bright light from a sunny window?

Oregano also makes a good companion plant in the vegetable garden.

Read Next

Planting

  • Oregano loves the sun, so ensure that your placement has full sun for strong flavor. Offer partial shade if growing in hot climates.
  • Plant anytime in the spring, once you’re well past the chance of frost. Some folks plant later in the season for assured warm weather. The soil should be around 70ÂşF.
  • 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.
  • Before planting, mix in several inches of organic matter, such as compost. If you’re growing in containers, use a quality potting mix. 
  • Plant 8 to 10 inches apart. The plants will grow 1 to 2 feet tall and spread about 18 inches.

Growing

  • 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.
  • At the end of the season, you can move pots indoors for the winter;  cut dead stems in the spring before new growth. In warmer climates, protect plants with mulch.
  • 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.
Varieties
  • Greek oregano (Origanum vulgare var. hirtum) for cooking.
  • Common oregano for decoration (its white-lavender flowers look pretty in the garden and are also used in wreaths).

Harvesting

  • Harvest the leaves with sharp shears as you need them, once the plant is several inches tall. This will encourage new growth. Just don’t harvest more than one-third of the plant at a time.
  • The most flavor-filled leaves are found in mid-summer, 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.
Gardening Products

Pests/Diseases

Wit and Wisdom

  • Oregano tea relaxes nerves and settles an upset stomach.
  • Fresh oregano is a great antibacterial agent and loaded with antioxidants as well as an excellent source of fiber, vitamin K, iron, vitamin E, and calcium. It was once used in many old-fashioned herbal remedies.
  • Oregano plants are said to symbolize “substance.” Find out more about plant meanings here.

Recipes

Grilled Pork Kabobs
Italian Vegetable Soup
Leg of Lamb Roasted With White Wine and Herbs
Eggplant, Zucchini and Red Pepper Stew
Slow-Cooker Tomato Sauce
Turkey-Stuffed Eggplant
Italian Vegetable Popover Pizza
Breaded Fried Zucchini Rounds

Cooking Notes

Crush or chop fresh oregano leaves by hand before adding them to a dish to release the flavorful essential oils contained within. Oregano adds savory flavor to pizza, pasta sauce, and Italian soups. But also add oregano to olive oil, vinaigrettes, or marinades for beef, chicken, or lamb. Try it!

For cooked dishes, it’s best to add oregano leaves at the end of the cooking process, or they won’t hold up well. For example, add to the end of cooking hearty vegetables such as eggplant and zucchini. 

Herbs
About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website, and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana. Read More from Catherine Boeckmann
 

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Comments

Kelly Carpenter (not verified)

6 years 11 months ago

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.

Lorena (not verified)

7 years 5 months ago

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?

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.

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.

deirdre smith (not verified)

7 years 9 months ago

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

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.

Mlcolm (not verified)

8 years 7 months ago

my plants have just finished blooming,,, Do I cut the stems off or leave them alone ??????

Cutting off the flower stems will stimulate growth. Cut just below the flower.

Lejing (not verified)

8 years 10 months ago

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?

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.