How to Grow Oregano in Your Indoor or Outdoor Herb Garden

Oregano has the potential to take any dish to the next level, from pastas and pizzas to soups and stews. If this herb consistently makes an appearance in your home-cooked meals, consider growing it in your garden or on your windowsill. Like many aromatic plants, oregano is a low-maintenance, vigorous grower, so you're guaranteed to get a lot of bang for your buck. What's more, oregano is relatively pest- and disease-resistant, so you won't run into many issues when growing it. Ready to have your own continuous supply of oregano at home? Here, we explain how to grow and care for this delicious and versatile herb.

How to Plant Oregano

Plant oregano outdoors in the spring, after the threat of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up, says Carrie Spoonemore, From Seed to Spoon by Park Seed. Choose an area with full sun and well-draining soil that gets plenty of airflow.

Planting Oregano From Seed

The best way to grow oregano from seed is to start it indoors about six to eight weeks before your final frost, says Ryan McEnaney, garden designer and author of Field Guide to Outside Style: Design and Plant Your Perfect Outdoor Space. "Once daytime temperatures are consistently warm and nighttime temperatures will not drip to cause frost, the plants can be hardened off and moved outdoors."

1. Fill small containers or trays with seed starting mix.
2. Lightly press the seeds into the soil surface.
3. Water gently to moisten the soil, keeping it moist until germination.
4. Cover the seeds with a dome to help them retain moisture.
5. Ensure the seedlings have proper airflow as they grow, thinning as needed.
6. Harden off the seedlings by exposing them to increasing amounts of the outdoors, starting with an hour at a time.
7. Once you've hardened off the seeds for a full week and the threat of frost has passed, transplant the seedlings outdoors.
8. Dig a hole in the soil as deep as the container the oregano is in.
9. Gently remove it from its container and place it in the ground.
10. Water well.
    

Planting Oregano in Containers

When planting oregano in containers, use a pot with good drainage holes to prevent water logging. "A medium-sized container, about 8 to 12 inches in diameter, is ideal as it provides ample space for root growth," says Spoonemore.

1. Fill the pot with a well-draining, organic potting mix.
2. Place the oregano plant on the soil surface, and lightly cover it with more soil.
3. Water gently to moisten the soil without displacing the seeds.
4. Place the container in a location that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight daily.

How to Care for Oregano

While oregano is a low-maintenance plant, there are some things to keep in mind when caring for this herb.

Light

Oregano needs six to eight hours of full sun in order to thrive, says Spoonemore. In zone 8 and above, some afternoon shade can be helpful.

Soil

Oregano can handle a range of soil conditions, including poor, rocky or sandy soil, but generally it prefers well-draining soil with a pH of 6 to 7.

Water

As a Mediterranean plant, oregano can tolerate drier conditions than many other herbs. "When the soil starts to feel dry, give it a good watering," says McEnaney. "Deeper, less frequent watering is better than less water more regularly."

Temperature

Oregano thrives in warm conditions and can tolerate temperatures that range from 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, says Spoonemore. If you live in a humid environment, allow the plant to have good airflow to avoid any leaf disease, says McEnaney.

Fertilizer

Oregano doesn’t need regular fertilizer application. "The best flavor comes when it pulls nutrients from the soil itself," says McEnaney. "If you do apply a fertilizer to encourage growth or replace nutrients in your soil, be sure to use an organic fertilizer so you’re not adding chemicals to the soil around your edible plant."

Types of Oregano

Consider growing one of these common varieties of oregano.

• Greek oregano (Origanum vulgare var. hirtum): This type is most commonly used in cooking. "It has great flavor, is easy to maintain, and grows quickly in the landscape, pots, and window boxes," says McEnaney.
• Golden oregano (Origanum vulgare var. aureum): This type is a bushy, woody perennial with golden leaves. "Golden oregano is a low-growing plant that is more clumping than Greek oregano," says McEnaney.
• Marjoram (Origanum majorana): This type is similar to Greek oregano but is more cold sensitive and typically grown as an annual. "Marjoram has a milder flavor than oregano with leaves that don’t freeze as well," says McEnaney.

How to Prune Oregano

Oregano should be pinched back before it flowers for the best taste and to prevent self-seeding, says McEnaney. Use sharp, clean scissors or pruners to cut back the stems in early summer before the flowers develop. "Cut back up to two-thirds of the plant, focusing on older stems to promote new growth," says Spoonemore.

How to Propagate Oregano

Oregano can be propagated easily from stem cuttings. "Roots will develop in a couple of weeks," says McEnaney. "Once the roots begin to fill the small propagation pot, it can be planted in the landscape or a larger pot." 

1. Cut a 4- to 5-inch stem from your existing plant just above a leaf node.
2. Remove the lower leaves from the plant.
3. Dip the cut end in a rooting hormone.
4. Fill a pot with a drainage hole with moist potting soil.
5. Place the stem in the soil and water well.

How to Overwinter Oregano

Oregano is hardy across much of the United States, with many varieties hardy to Zone 4, says McEnaney. If you live in a colder climate, mulch the area around your oregano plants to protect the roots. If you're growing it in containers, simply bring them inside and set them in a sunny location during winter.

How to Harvest Oregano

Harvest oregano in the morning after the dew has dried for the best flavor, says Spoonemore. "Cut stems as needed, or harvest in bulk by cutting back half of the plant's height," she says.

How to Dry and Store Oregano

Oregano flavor is most pungent in the middle of the summer, so this is the perfect time to harvest and dry the herb. "As you harvest clumps of oregano, tie it loosely together and hang the clump on a drying rack for roughly two weeks until it's completely dry before removing the leaves and crumbling into a jar for preservation," says McEnaney. Store dried oregano in an airtight container until you're ready to use it. Fresh oregano can be stored in the refrigerator by placing the cut ends of the stems in a glass of water.

Common Problems With Oregano

Luckily, oregano doesn’t face many disease or pest issues as long as there is good air circulation around the plant. "Mites and aphids can sometimes impact oregano and can be treated with natural insecticidal soap," says McEnaney. As a Mediterranean plant, oregano can also experience root rot, so it's best to let the soil dry out between waterings.