How to Grow Oregano

Popular for its aromatic, pungent leaves, oregano is widely used in Italian and Greek cuisine, especially when dried. This sun-loving Mediterranean herb is easy to grow, compact and drought tolerant.

Oregano forms a clump of small, aromatic leaves and produces pretty pink, mauve or white flowers in summer and early autumn. Plants usually reach a height and spread of 30–60cm (1–2ft), depending on the variety. Oregano is perennial

Perennials are plants that live for multiple years. They come in all shapes and sizes and fill our gardens with colourful flowers and ornamental foliage. Many are hardy and can survive outdoors all year round, while less hardy types need protection over winter. The term herbaceous perennial is used to describe long-lived plants without a permanent woody structure (they die back to ground level each autumn), distinguishing them from trees, shrubs and sub-shrubs. , living for several years, and generally survives UK winters when grown in free-draining soil. It's ideal for planting alongside other aromatic sun-lovers, such as sage and thyme, in pots, herb gardens, dry gardens and pollinator-friendly borders, as the flowers are great at attracting butterflies and bees.

You can harvest oregano leaves regularly from spring through to autumn, to enjoy in a wide range of dishes, infusing them with rich Mediterranean flavour. Dried oregano is a key ingredient in many pizza and pasta sauces, as it goes particularly well with tomato.

Oregano is similar to marjoram and the two common names are often confused or used interchangeably when referring to various species of Origanum. O. majorana (sweet marjoram) and O. onites (pot marjoram) are generally recognised as marjoram. Confusingly, one of the common names for the hardy UK native

A native plant is one that originated or arrived naturally in a particular place without human involvement. In the British Isles, native plants are those that were here during the last ice age or have arrived unaided since. O. vulgare is wild marjoram, but in cultivation and culinary contexts it's generally referred to as oregano, as are the numerous varieties of it. Some other species, such as O. syriacum (Syrian oregano), are also types of oregano. As a general distinction, oregano leaves have a more pungent, thyme-like aroma, while marjoram leaves have a milder, sweeter flavour. Oregano also tends to be hardier than marjoram.

There are many varieties of oregano to choose from, offering variations in size, leaf colour, flower colour and flavour. All like sunny, free-draining growing conditions. When choosing, look for varieties with an RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM), which shows they performed particularly well in trials. See Origanum trial results and our RecommendedVarieties below. You can also explore a wide range of herbs, including oregano, in the RHS gardens, so do visit them for inspiration and growing tips.

What and where to buy 

Oregano is usually bought as young plants, which are readily available in garden centres and from online plant retailers. For specific varieties, try specialist herb nurseries. It’s well worth buying oregano plants in person, so you can choose your favourite aromas. Also be aware that some varieties have been bred for their ornamental appeal rather than for flavour, including ‘Kent Beauty’ and ‘Rosenkuppel’, so choose from the herb section when buying if you want the best quality culinary plants.

You can also buy oregano seed from garden centres and online seed companies, although the selection may be limited.

Recommended Varieties

'Gold Nugget' AGM

Lovely, sweet flavour. Golden-yellow leaves. Pale pink flowers.

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'Hot and Spicy' AGM

Soft, grey-green leaves have a distinct heat and robust flavour. White or pale mauve flowers.

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'Aureum' AGM

Bright golden-yellow leaves with a warm flavour. Forms a spreading clump with a woody base.

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'Compactum' AGM

A low-growing variety, with small, strongly aromatic leaves. Purple-pink flowers.

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Oregano is usually bought as young plants, but seeds of some species, such as the UK native

A native plant is one that originated or arrived naturally in a particular place without human involvement. In the British Isles, native plants are those that were here during the last ice age or have arrived unaided since. Origanum vulgare, are widely availabe to buy. The main advantage of growing from seed is that you can raise a large number of plants for about the same price as buying one young plant.

Sowing indoors

Sow oregano seeds indoors in spring into small pots or modular trays filled with moist peat-free seed compost

Seed compost is a free-draining compost formulated for germinating seed. It often contains a mix of fine materials including sterilised loam, coir, coarse sand or grit. It contains low levels of nutrients, as high levels could damage seedlings. . Scatter the seeds thinly on the surface, there is no need to cover the tiny seeds with compost

Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own. . Then place in a propagator

A propagator is a portable, lightweight structure usually plastic, with a vented or unvented lid to provide a humid, slightly warmer atmosphere. It is useful to help seeds germinate and root cuttings. It may have adjustable, thermostatic temperature control. or cover with a clear plastic bag. Seeds germinate well at around 20°C (68°F). Seedlings

A seedling is a young plant grown from seed. should appear in one to three weeks.

Keep the seedlings in a warm, bright location. Water regularly but avoid overwatering, as seedlings are prone to fungal diseases such as damping off. When the seedlings have several leaves, move each one into an individual pot about 7.5cm (3in) in size. Use a soil-based compost

Soil-based compost is a potting compost that includes sterilised soil/loam in the mix. As loam contains sand, silt and clay, it does not rot down like organic materials, so adding soil/loam to compost ensures it is longer lasting – it is often used for shrubs in pots and will last 3–4 years without the need to be replaced. such as peat-free John Innes No 2.

Oregano plants are available to buy all year round and can potentially be planted at any time, but should settle in quickly if planted in late spring or early summer. Indoor seed-raised plants are also best planted in late spring or early summer, after the last frost – take care to harden them off, to gradually acclimatise them to outdoor conditions. Oregano thrives in a warm, sunny location, either in well-drained soil or in a container. If you have heavy or damp soil, the roots are liable to rot, so plant in a raised bed or a container, where drainage will be better. Plant oregano at the same depth it was previously growing and space it at least 20–30cm (8–12in) from neighbouring plants.

When planting in a container, choose one that is at least 15cm (6in) wide and deep for a single young plant. Make sure there are drainage holes in the base. Fill the pot with peat-free soil-based compost

Soil-based compost is a potting compost that includes sterilised soil/loam in the mix. As loam contains sand, silt and clay, it does not rot down like organic materials, so adding soil/loam to compost ensures it is longer lasting – it is often used for shrubs in pots and will last 3–4 years without the need to be replaced. and and mix in some horticultural grit (up to 25 per cent by volume) to improve drainage.

Oregano needs minimal maintenance – simply harvest sprigs of young leaves regularly to encourage bushy new growth and cut back faded flower stems. Also make sure they don’t get smothered by vigorous neighbouring plants, or get covered by fallen deciduous

Deciduous refers to plants (mainly trees and shrubs) that lose their leaves seasonally, usually during autumn. This is a natural process triggered by the season's shorter days and lower temperatures and allows plants to conserve energy during the winter months. leaves.

Watering

Water newly planted oregano in dry spells. Once established, oregano shouldn’t need additional watering when growing in the ground. Plants in containers will need watering during dry spells as the compost

Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own. can dry out quickly in hot, dry, sunny weather, but never let the compost get waterlogged

Describes soil or potting compost that is saturated with water. The water displaces air from the spaces between soil particles and plant roots can literally drown, unless they are adapted to growing in waterlogged conditions. Waterlogging is common on poorly drained soil or when heavy soil is compacted. .

Feeding

Oregano grows well in fairly poor, free-draining soil, so plants in the ground don't need any additional feeding. However, plants that have been growing in the same container for more than one year will benefit from a sprinkling of general purpose granular feed in late spring or early summer.

Cutting back

In late spring, trim established plants

Established plants have been in their current location for two or three years and so have well-developed root systems able to support strong growth with healthy foliage and flowers. to keep them compact and remove any dead or straggly stems. This will encourage a flush of new growth. Also cut back the flower stems once the blooms fade, to keep plants looking neat.

Winter protection

Origanum vulgare and varieties of it are reliaby hardy, but some less commonly grown species may not survive in colder parts of the UK, so do check the plant label, seed packet and hardiness rating, and move plants indoors or into a greenhouse if necessary.

It’s important to protect oregano from waterlogging over winter, which will cause the roots to rot. Move potted plants to a sheltered spot, like near a building in a rain shadow, to protect them from heavy rainfall. In locations with cold, wet winters, protect oregano plants in the ground with cloches, but ensure they have good ventilation

The introduction of outdoor air into a space, for example, a greenhouse. This airflow can reduce temperature, replenish the gases absorbed by plants and keep down fungal diseases like grey moulds. .

Propagating

Oregano can be grown from seed (see Sowing above) but if you already have a plant, there are a few easy ways to propagate it. The methods listed below are forms of vegetative propagation, meaning the new plants will be the same as the parent plant. This is especially useful when varieties don't come true from seed.

• Layer plants in spring or autumn by pegging low stems into the soil to root. This often happens naturally, so check for rooted stems around the edge of the clump and pot them up
• Divide clumps in spring or soon after they have finished flowering in late summer/early autumn
• Softwood cuttings taken in summer from new growth

Harvest oregano leaves as required from late spring through to autumn – simply snip off a few shoots, then strip off the leaves. The flavour is best before the flowers open. The leaves can be used fresh or dried. To dry oregano leaves, hang up leafy sprigs in a dark, well-ventilated place for a few weeks. When fully dried, strip off the leaves and store in an air-tight jar. It may also be possible to keep oregano plants productive over winter if they are moved indoors in autumn and given sufficient warmth and light.

Oregano is popular in Italian, Greek, Mexican, and Middle Eastern cuisines. Dried leaves are often added to sauces, marinades and a range of cooked dishes, while fresh leaves are more likely to be added to salads or at the end of cooking. The flowers are also edible and can be scattered in salads.

Oregano is generally healthy and productive if grown in a sunny position in free-draining soil or compost

Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own. . The fungal disease mint rust can affect oregano, and occasionally insects may feed on the leaves – see Common problems below for more details.

Common Problems

Mint rust

Mint rust is a common fungal disease of garden mint, but also affects marjoram and savory. The fungus causes dusty orange, yellow and black spots on l...

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Mint moth

Mint moth caterpillars feed on a range of small herbaceous plants in the mint family. Their presence can be tolerated by gardeners and the adult moths...

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Sage and Ligurian leafhoppers

Sage and Ligurian leafhoppers can cause a coarse pale mottling on sage, rosemary, lavender and related plants in the spring and summer.

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