Oregano is a staple in southern Mediterranean cuisine. It’s a herb that enhances everything from pizza and pasta sauces to Greek salads and Spanish stews. Also known as marjoram, this versatile herb has both culinary and medicinal uses. It can be brewed into tea to ease digestive issues and was historically used as an antiseptic.
Beyond the kitchen, oregano’s compact leaves and ornamental flowers make it a beautiful ground cover or a charming addition to window boxes and containers.
How To Grow Oregano In 4 Simple Steps
- Plant oregano in a warm, sunny spot with well-draining soil, or grow it in pots.
- Ensure the soil drains well and never becomes waterlogged.
- Pick oregano sprigs year-round as needed.
- Trim the plant after flowering to promote fresh and new growth.
Where to Plant Oregano
Plant oregano where you want it to stay long-term. It thrives in the ground, raised beds, or containers. If you’re growing it in a raised bed or container alongside vegetables that need frequent watering, place oregano on the outer edge, where the soil dries out faster than the center.
This draping herb looks stunning when planted in the corners or along the edges of raised beds, allowing its long stems to spill gracefully over the sides. Give each plant about 12 inches of space.
For the best results, mix oregano with other perennial herbs like thyme, rosemary, and seasonal flowers around the entire border of your raised beds. It creates a natural pest barrier while adding vibrant color all season long.
How to Plant Oregano
To grow oregano from seed, fill small pots with peat-free seed compost, water thoroughly, and let them drain. Scatter a few seeds on the surface without covering them, as they need light to germinate. Keep the pots in a heated propagator or on a warm windowsill to provide the necessary warmth for germination. Once the seedlings grow large enough to handle, transplant them into larger pots filled with peat-free, multi-purpose compost.
For a quicker option, buy ready-grown oregano plants from a local garden center or nursery and plant them directly into a dedicated herb garden or pot.
How to Care For Oregano
Keep oregano in a sunny, sheltered spot and water it sparingly throughout the growing season. Harvest leaves whenever needed by pinching them with your fingers or cutting a bunch with scissors.
Cut plants back completely in midsummer to encourage fresh growth, or let them flower to attract bees with nectar and pollen. Oregano dies back in winter but regrows from woody stems in spring.
In spring, refresh pot-grown oregano by repotting it with fresh compost and slow-release fertilizer. It is also the perfect time to cut woody stems back to the base to promote fresh new growth.
Common Pests & Diseases
Oregano rarely faces pest or disease issues, but problems can arise if it lacks sunlight, sits in waterlogged soil, or grows in a humid climate.
Ensure oregano gets full sun and grows in well-draining soil. Provide good airflow around the plants and avoid over watering to prevent fungal issues caused by excess humidity.
How To Harvest Oregano
Harvest oregano leaves as needed in late spring and summer by snipping off a few shoots and stripping the leaves. For the best flavor, pick them before the flowers bloom.
To keep oregano productive through winter, move potted plants indoors in autumn and place them on a warm, sunny windowsill.
How to Store and Enjoy Oregano Leaves
Use as many fresh oregano leaves as possible, then dry the rest to enjoy year-round. To dry oregano, tie a few sprigs together and hang them upside down in a cool, dry, and dark place.
Once the leaves are fully dry, strip them from the stems by running your fingers along the stalk. Store them in an airtight container or a jar to preserve their flavor.
Fresh oregano adds a delicious touch to homemade pizzas, spaghetti sauce, and tacos. Dried oregano works well in salt blends or as part of an all-purpose seasoning mix.
If you have more than you need, share your homegrown oregano with neighbors and friends as a gift that brings flavor and warmth straight from your garden.
