How to Grow Oregano
This article is part of our “How to Grow Herbs” series. If you would like to learn more about how to work with this plant after you harvest it, please refer to our Herbal Aromatherapy Certification Program™ here.
Culinary oregano, Origanum vulgare, is a member of the Lamiaceae (mint) family. It has square stems, opposite leaves, and its flowers can vary in color by species and variety – usually shades of white or light pink. It grows as a perennial in USDA growing zones as low as 4 and 5, but can also be planted in a container and brought indoors for the winter in areas where the winters are colder. Many people choose to grow it as an annual, starting with fresh plants each spring. The leaves do tend to die back during the cooler months when grown outdoors.
Growth Habit
Oregano can reach two to three feet (~0.6 - 0.9 meters) in height when planted in ideal conditions. As you harvest from it throughout the growing season, you will find that the stems you snipped will branch out and continue to produce growth. This can help contribute to a well-shaped plant.
Growth Requirements
Oregano grows best in full sun and in well-draining, amended soil. I have found that when it is planted in partial sun, part shade or full shade, the flavor is significantly diminished and can even become unpleasant.
It can be propagated by seed or via rooted cuttings. Some people also like to use a technique called layering to propagate their oregano plants. This is done by training one of the stems so that it grows partially horizontally along the surface of the soil (usually with the use of a landscape staple to hold it in place), which can encourage the leaf nodes on the stem to send new roots down into the soil. Once the roots are observable, the stem with its new roots can be cut off and planted to form a new plant.
Flavor Differences
I tend to prefer Greek oregano (Origanum heracleoticum), which many people call “true oregano,” over common oregano for kitchen and apothecary use. It seems to be a bit stronger in its aroma, flavor and action and I find it more effective (and tasty!).
Harvesting
Oreganos can be harvested a couple of times throughout the growing season and can be snipped a few stems at a time as needed for culinary use. To dry them, spread your harvest in a single layer on a drying rack or screen or gather the stems in small bunches, tie them together, and hang them upside down. Once they are fully dried, strip the leaves from the stems before storing.
Learning More
If you would like to learn more about how to work with aromatic plants, I hope you will join me in our Herbal Aromatherapy Certification Program™ here at Floranella! In it, I teach students how to safely and effectively work with over 100 different herbs as well as their applicable essential oils and hydrosols from the garden to the still to the apothecary. I hope to see you in class one day!
About the Author
Hi there, I’m Erin! I am the main instructor here at Floranella. I am a clinical herbalist, aromatherapist, artisan distiller and organic gardener based in the Pacific Northwest. Here at Floranella, I teach people how to work with plants safely and effectively from the garden to the apothecary. Thanks for being here! I’m glad you stopped by.
