Oregano

Origanum vulgare · Mint family (Lamiaceae)

At a glance
Hardiness zones	4 to 8
Sun	full sun to part shade
Water	low
Life cycle	perennial
Frost	Hardy: takes frost
Soil pH	6.0–7.5
Spacing	10 to 12 inches
Soil temperature to plant	at least 60°F

About Oregano

Oregano is a spreading, hardy perennial whose leaves are a staple of Mediterranean and Mexican cooking. Flavor varies a lot between plants, so many cooks grow it from cuttings of a plant they like.

NC State lists oregano as hardy in zones 4-8.

When to plant

Timing is counted from your average last spring frost (and first fall frost). Sow & Tell works out the actual dates for your ZIP code.

It grows from seed, division or cuttings; cuttings keep the flavor of a favorite plant. University of Minnesota Extension groups oregano with warm-season herbs that prefer soil near 60 F.

Soil

Clay, loam or sandy soil with good drainage; it tolerates occasional dry spells.

Plant in full sun in well-drained, average soil with a pH of about 6.0 to 8.0; oregano grows well in poor soil. Follow a soil test before adding fertilizer.

Feeding

once a year: balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10. Apply lightly, following your soil test and the label rate, and water it in.

Rich soil or heavy feeding gives fast, lush growth with less essential oil, so leaves have weaker flavor and scent.

Harvest

Clip leaves as needed; flavor is best just before the plant flowers. Leaves dry well for year-round use.

Clip leaves as needed; shear plants back regularly before they flower to push out new leaves (flavor is best just before bloom). Cut back in late fall.

Varieties (13)

Extension sources document about 12 oreganos (species, subspecies and cultivars) plus Mexican oregano, which is a different plant. Common names like Greek and Italian oregano are used inconsistently.

Variety	Type	Notes
Mexican oregano	Different plant (Lippia graveolens, verbena family)	Sharper and more pungent than European oregano; used for chili and Mexican dishes. Not winter hardy (Illinois Extension).
Italian oregano	Hybrid oregano (Origanum x majoricum)	Culinary perennial with white flowers.
Hopley's Purple	Oregano	Mild. Compact plant with purple-green leaves; not winter hardy in Illinois.
Profusion	Oregano	Intense flavor. Very hardy.
Variegated oregano	Oregano (O. vulgare 'Variegata')	Green and white variegated leaves.
Golden oregano (Aureum)	Oregano (O. vulgare)	Golden-yellow leaves on a compact mound 8-10 inches tall.
Hot & Spicy	Oregano (O. vulgare)	Fiery, hot-pepper kick; suits Tex-Mex and Cajun dishes.
Turkestan oregano	Oregano (Origanum tyttanthum)	Strong flavor. Robust plant that does well indoors; not winter hardy.
Greek oregano	Oregano (Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum)	Sharp, biting oregano flavor; NC State calls it the standard culinary oregano. Six inches to 2 feet tall with gray-green leaves and small purple or white flowers; hardy.
Common oregano	Oregano (Origanum vulgare)	Coarser and stronger than sweet marjoram; used on pizza, in tomato sauces and with meats. Sprawling perennial 1-2 feet tall with small pink, white or purplish flowers in summer.
Rosenkuppel	Ornamental oregano (O. vulgare)	Long-lasting violet-red flowers.
Cleopatra	Syrian oregano (Origanum syriacum)
Syrian oregano (za'atar)	Syrian oregano (Origanum syriacum)	Strong, spicy flavor. Less winter hardy than common oregano; may need to come indoors for winter.

Pests to watch for

Four-lined plant bug

In the kitchen

Leaves flavor tomato dishes, meats and sauces, and leaves and flowers can be used in tea.

Keeping it: Keep fresh sprigs wrapped in the fridge and use within a few days. Dried oregano keeps its punch for about a year in a sealed jar.

Pets: Toxic to dogs, cats and horses (ASPCA, 'Oregano', Origanum vulgare hirtum): can cause mild vomiting and diarrhea

Sources

Photo: Photo: Ivar Leidus, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0). Photo resized for the web.

Planting dates and advice are general guidance; check with your local Cooperative Extension office for your area.