Plant field guide
Oregano
Essential Mediterranean herb with robust peppery flavor. Greek oregano has the best culinary flavor. Golden oregano is ornamental with chartreuse foliage.
Growing requirements
- Scientific name
- Origanum vulgare
- Sun
- full sun
- Water
- low
- Height
- 12 in (30 cm) – 24 in (61 cm)
- Spread
- 18 in (46 cm) – 24 in (61 cm)
- Spacing
- 12 in (30 cm)
- Hardiness zones & minimum temperature
- USDA 4–9; average annual extreme minimum from -30°F (-34.4°C). Hardiness does not predict local frost dates.
- Difficulty
- easy
Planting & seasonal timing
Northern Hemisphere planting months: not yet verified in our database.
Northern Hemisphere pruning months: March, April.
For the Southern Hemisphere, these seasonal windows shift approximately six months. Check your local frost forecast, soil temperature, and species requirements; calendar months are not a guarantee of planting safety.
Thrives in lean, well-drained soil. Flavor is strongest just before flowering. Can become invasive - cut flowers before setting seed.
Pruning
Cut back to 2 inches in early spring. Harvest by cutting stems, leaving at least 2 sets of leaves.
Fertilizer
None needed
Does not need fertilizer (lean soil = more flavor)
Mulch
Gravel or light mulch for drainage.