Origanum laevigatum

RHS Plant Profile
smooth oregano

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smooth oregano RHS
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Herbaceous Perennial
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A woody-based perennial making a loose clump of stems with ovate, blue-green, aromatic leaves 1-2cm in length. Tubular rosy-pink flowers 15mm in length are borne in clusters among purplish bracts from spring to autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Origanum may be herbaceous perennials or deciduous or evergreen sub-shrubs, with aromatic foliage and spikes of small tubular flowers usually with conspicuous bracts
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
SW Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained, preferably alkaline soil in full sun. See oregano cultivation for further advice This plant was included in the RHS Origanum (oregano and marjoram) trial 2022-2023 https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/trials-awards/plant-trial-results/origanum

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Gravel garden
  • Rock garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens

Pruning

Cut back old flowered stems in early spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free