Oregano is a perennial herb with rose-purple or white flowers and a taste reminiscent of thyme. This herb can be grown indoors or out in the garden. As it is native to hot, arid regions, the oregano plant is perfect for growing in areas prone to drought. This herb also makes an exceptional companion plant for garden vegetables, repelling insect pests that commonly affect beans and broccoli. Let’s look at how to grow oregano in your garden.
Oregano leaves are oval, dark green and in opposite pairs. Some varieties have fuzzy leaves, others not. Oregano starts as a ground-hugging rosette of leaves, but it can easily grow to about two feet tall. A handful of plants will provide you with enough oregano to use fresh in season and to dry for use throughout the rest of the year.
How to Grow Oregano
Growing oregano is easy. Oregano can be grown from seeds, cuttings, or purchased container plants.
Seeds should be started indoors prior to your region’s last expected frost. There’s no need to cover oregano herb seeds with soil. Simply mist them with water and cover the seed tray or container with plastic. Place this in a sunny location such as a window to germinate. Oregano seeds usually germinate within about a week or so. Once the seedlings have reached approximately 6 inches (15 cm.) tall, the plants can be thinned down to about a foot apart.
Oregano plants can be set out or transplanted in the garden once the risk of frost has passed. Locate oregano in areas receiving full sun and in well-drained soil.
Established plants do not require much attention. In fact, these drought-tolerant herbs need watering only during excessively dry periods. Oregano doesn’t need to be fertilized either, as these hardy plants can typically take care of themselves. For optimal flavor (if growing oregano for kitchen use) or more compact plant growth, flower buds can be pinched out as they begin to bloom.
Light
Most oregano varieties need full sun, however, the golden oregano variety does best in partial shade; its leaves tend to scorch in full sun.
Soil
Sandy loam is best suited for oregano. If your soil is moist with lots of organic matter, oregano will not perform as well as it does in lighter soil. Light soil is typically fairly well-drained. Allow its soil to dry out between waterings.
Water
Do not overwater oregano. Water thoroughly, only when the soil is dry to the touch.
Temperature and Humidity
Do not overwater oregano. Water thoroughly, only when the soil is dry to the touch.
Pests/Diseases
- Root and stem rots
- Aphids
- Spider mites
Harvesting
As with most herbs, oregano leaves taste best before the plant flowers. The flowers should be pinched to keep the plants bushy and prevent it from bolting to seed. The flowers stalks are spiky and may be white, pink, or purple.
You can begin harvesting when plants have reached 4 to 5 inches in height. Cut sprigs for use. Cutting stems all the way back to the ground will encourage more stems from the base and a fuller plant.
The stems tend to get woody and the easiest way to strip the leaves is to hold the stem by the top, uncut end and run your finger down the stem. Most of the pruning oregano needs will be accomplished by harvesting, but to keep it healthy, follow the guidelines for pruning woody herbs.
Few pests bother oregano, but keep an eye out for spider mites and aphids.
Varieties
- Oregano heracleoticum, Greek oregano: The variety usually used in Mediterranean cooking, it is the type most people associate with oregano flavor. Oregano onites is also sometimes listed as Greek oregano.
- Oregano vulgare, common oregano, wild marjoram, and pot marjoram: Marjoram is a type of oregano with a less pungent, sweeter taste, often used in French and English cooking.
- Lippia graveolens, Mexican oregano: Not in the oregano family, it is called Mexican oregano and is used in chili powders.
- Origanum vulgare Aureum, golden oregano: This oregano has lighter colored leaves and a milder oregano flavor.
- Thymus nummularius, Spanish oregano: In Spain, often, this is used in place of oregano.
- Plectranthus anboinicus, Puerto Rico and Cuban oregano: Similar to oregano, it is not in the oregano family.
