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How to Grow Oregano Plants: The Complete Guide

Photo Credit
Pixabay
Botanical Name
Origanum
Plant Type
Herbs
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

Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener
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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 70ºF.
  • 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.

Types

  • 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

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann is the Executive Digital Editor of Almanac.com, the website companion of The Old Farmer's Almanac. She covers gardening, plants, pest control, soil composition, seasonal and moon c...
Read More from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Fri, 05/02/2014 - 15:34

Hi, Courtney, Low light levels are a common problem with growing herbs indoors. That and heat. And too much water.  We have advice for growing these outside here (oregano: http://www.almanac.com/plant/oregano) and here (basil: http://www.almanac.com/plant/basilhttp://www.almanac.com/plant/basil ).

With enough sun, good soil, and balanced water, give these another try in summer, outdoors.

 <span>John Poulos</span> Thu, 02/13/2014 - 17:30
In 1948 my grandmother went to visit the island of Crete where she was born and raised and smuggled in a little clump of oregano still in its dirt. She planted it in San Francisco and it grew to about 6' in diameter over the years. she would pick it, dry it. and then remove the leaves. It supplied all the family for years. She died in 1987 and I took a shovel sized clump and planted it and it grew as hers did. In 2005 I moved into a townhouse with very little back, yard. I planted the oregano in a half wine barrel and it did well until this winter. There is nothing but the stubble. (I would cut it short for the winter)I think it is dead. It was the best oregano EVER!! Where can I buy some Spanish, or preferably Greek plant or seed? Thank you.
<span>Ismael</span> Wed, 04/22/2015 - 08:35
walmart has greek .just pick 2 1gal pots 12.99 each
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Tue, 02/18/2014 - 10:43
Johnny's Selected Seeds is a great resource. Here is a link to get you started: http://www.johnnyseeds.com/p-8175-greek-oregano.aspx
<span>Dyanna</span> Fri, 01/24/2014 - 14:29
I bought an oregano plant in Hawaii a couple of years ago. I keep it inside in a window it has never bloomed, it has variegated leaves white and green..I don't see that in stores is it still etible? Also it is real leggy kind of covering a window .. If i do cuttings will they root?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 01/27/2014 - 15:32

There are many varieties of oregano and some have variegated leaves and some bloom more than others. Oregano needs full sun and warmth to grow well. Trimming the ends of the stems will make your plant bushier and more productive. You can propagate oregano by taking stem cuttings and dipping them in rooting hormone before planting them in a pot with equal equal parts perlite and peat moss.

 <span>Umeed</span> Mon, 12/09/2013 - 02:52
is oregano and tulsi are the same plants???
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 12/09/2013 - 18:01

No, these are different plants.

 <span>Annaliese</span> Wed, 11/27/2013 - 21:41
Hi. I bought an oregano plant with two other herbs-thyme and spearmint- in the same pot. Will this effect the care of the plants, such as watering, etc.?I also can't plant them because I don't have a place with the right sunlight.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Tue, 12/03/2013 - 11:12

Mediterranean perennial herbs such as oregano and thyme have similar soil and watering requirements. They need full sun and slightly dry soil. Mint needs to be in a separate container or place; it prefers partial shade, moderate water and cooler temperatures. Also, mint spreads quickly and can take over other plants.