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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

KDD (not verified)

9 years 3 months ago

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?

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.

KimJ (not verified)

9 years 5 months ago

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?

Leaves on oregano can be used at any stage of growth. In fact, cutting back blooms will stimulate growth.

DCW (not verified)

9 years 5 months ago

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 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!

Bob Soskis (not verified)

9 years 7 months ago

When I harvest my oregano is it oK to include the small flowers?

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.)
 

David Edward Stevens (not verified)

9 years 8 months ago

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 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.