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OreganoOriganum vulgare

Oregano, also known as wild marjoram, is an indispensable classic of the Mediterranean herb garden. It impresses not only with its tart aroma but is also one of the most valuable pollinator plants during midsummer.

Oregano (Origanum vulgare): plant portrait for plant portrait - Herbs, Mint family, Harvest Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Oregano: plant portrait. harvest: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct.

Quick profile

Key data

Planting

May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Harvest

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Water

low

Good neighbors

CabbageZucchiniCabbage

Avoid

Garlic

Growing data

Oregano Growing data

Seed depth

0 cm

Plant spacing

25 - 30 cm

Row spacing

30 - 40 cm

Germination temp

16 - 22 °C

Sowing and germination

Seed depth0 cm
Germination temp16 - 22 °C
Germination time10 - 21 days
Seed viability2 - 5 years
Light germinatorYes
Dark germinatorNo
Cold germinatorNo
Stratification neededNo
Pre-soaking recommendedNo
Direct sowing possibleYes
Pre-culture recommendedYes

Planting and spacing

Plant spacing25 - 30 cm
Row spacing30 - 40 cm
Plants per m²6 - 9 per m²
Bed widthfrom 30 cm
Spacing1 per square

Temperature and site

Soil temperature12 - 18 °C
Growing temperaturefrom 10 °C
Optimal temperature18 - 28 °C
Frost sensitiveNo
Late frost sensitiveYes
Heat tolerancehigh
Cold tolerancehigh

Water, nutrients and care

Waterlow
Critical water phasesGermination phase, Establishment phase after planting
Watering methodbase_only
Droughtlow
Waterlogging sensitiveYes
Mulching recommendedNo
Nutrient needlight_feeder
Compost recommendedYes
Fertilizer sensitivitymedium

Container, support and growth

Container suitableYes
Pot sizeVolume: from 3 l; Recommended: from 5 l; Diameter: from 20 cm; Depth: from 15 cm
SupportNo
Height20 - 60 cm
Width30 - 50 cm
Root depth15 - 30 cm
Root spread20 - 40 cm
Yield50 - 150 g fresh

Year plan

Oregano Calendar

All plants
Indoor sowingDirect sowingPlantingHarvest

Indoor sowing

FebMarApr

Pre-culture on the windowsill possible from February.

Direct sowing

MayJun

Direct sowing outdoors after the last frost.

Planting

MayJunJulAugSep

Planting out pre-grown herbs from mid-May.

Harvest

JunJulAugSepOct

Best harvest time just before or during flowering.

Year plan
  1. Pruning
  2. Main harvest

Growing

Oregano Site, soil and care

Spacing

25 - 30 cm

Storage

Methods: Drying, Freezing, Infusing in oil

  • Title: Aroma Secret, Text: Harvest oregano in the midday sun when the essential oil content is at its peak.

Pruning

Oregano Pruning

regeneration_pruning

Goal

regeneration_pruning

Pruning timing

spring

MarApr

Spring maintenance and growth stimulation Radical pruning of old stems to 5 cm above ground before new growth starts.

summer

JulAug

Harvesting and deadheading Pruning by about one third after flowering encourages a second flush of fresh leaves.

Remove

  • Dead shoots from the previous year
  • Woody, bare base stems
  • Flower heads after seed ripening

Preserve

  • Young basal shoots
  • Green, leafy shoot tips

Avoid

  • Pruning into old wood in late autumn
  • Cutting too deep when frost is imminent

Tools and hygiene

Use sharp, clean bypass pruners to avoid crushing the herbaceous shoots.

Companion guide

Oregano Companion guide

Companion guide

Good neighbors

CabbageZucchiniCabbage

Avoid

Garlic

Health

Pests, Diseases

FAQ

Is oregano winter hardy?

Yes, oregano is very hardy in Central Europe, but should be protected from freezing through when in a pot.

Related plants

Mint

Same family

Rosemary

Same crop group

Root rot

Shared diseases

Lavender

Similar nutrient needs

Thyme

Similar water needs

Sources

Public sources

  1. Wikidata entity

    Wikidata · 2026-05-14

  2. GBIF species match

    GBIF · 2026-05-14

  3. Deutschsprachige Wikipedia: Oregano

    Wikipedia · 2026-05-14

  4. English Wikipedia: Oregano

    Wikipedia · 2026-05-14

Details

More public plant data

Names
Common

Oregano

Plural

Oregano

BotanicalOriganum vulgare
Botanical authorL.
Scientific synonyms
  1. Origanum floridum
  2. Thymus origanum
Synonyms
  1. Wild marjoram
  2. European oregano
  3. Common oregano
Common synonyms
  1. Wild marjoram
Regional names
  1. Dorst
  2. Wohlgemut
Historical names
Market names
  1. Pizza herb
Misspellings
  1. Oregano
International names
Fr
  1. origan
It
  1. origano
Es
  1. orégano
Pl
  1. lebiodka pospolita
Ambiguous names
  1. NameMajoran
    Languagede
    Shared with
    1. Origanum majorana
    Clarification

    Oregano (O. vulgare) is a hardy perennial, whereas sweet marjoram (O. majorana) is typically grown as an annual.

Search terms
  1. oregano
  2. wild marjoram
  3. culinary herbs
  4. medicinal plants
Taxonomy
KingdomPlantae
Clades
  1. Tracheophyta
  2. Angiospermae
  3. Eudicotidae
  4. Asteridae
  5. Lamiids
OrderLamiales
Family botanicalLamiaceae
Family

Mint family

Family idlamiaceae
SubfamilyNepetoideae
TribeMentheae
GenusOriganum
SpeciesOriganum vulgare
Hybrid statusnot_hybrid
Related crops
  1. Origanum majorana
  2. Thymus vulgaris
  3. Salvia officinalis
Classification
Main groupherbs
Sub groupculinary_herbs
Crop groupleafy_herbs
Life cyclePerennial
Perennialyes
Woodyyes
Treeno
Shrubyes
Edible parts
  1. leaves
  2. flowers
Nutrient grouplow_feeders
Calendar
Sowing indoor
Months
  1. 2
  2. 3
  3. 4
Earliest month2
Latest month4
Notes

Pre-culture on the windowsill possible from February.

Sowing outdoor
Months
  1. 5
  2. 6
Earliest month5
Latest month6
Notes

Direct sowing outdoors after the last frost.

Planting out
Months
  1. 5
  2. 6
  3. 7
  4. 8
  5. 9
Earliest month5
Latest month9
Notes

Planting out pre-grown herbs from mid-May.

Harvest
Months
  1. 6
  2. 7
  3. 8
  4. 9
  5. 10
Earliest month6
Latest month10
Notes

Best harvest time just before or during flowering.

Month tasks
1
  1. Maintain winter dormancy; protect with brushwood during black frost.

2
  1. Start sowing under glass.

3
  1. Prune old shoots back to the ground.

4
  1. Prick out and harden off young plants.

5
  1. Planting out in the field; direct sowing possible.

6
  1. First harvest of shoot tips; weed control.

7
  1. Main harvest during flowering for maximum aroma.

8
  1. Pruning after the first bloom encourages new growth.

9
  1. Last light harvest; no more heavy pruning.

10
  1. Clean planting area; collect seeds for sowing.

11
  1. Apply frost protection to young plants.

12
  1. No actions required.

Month tasks structured
3
  1. Taskpruning
    Label

    Pruning

    Prioritymedium
    Months
    1. 3
    Conditionfrost_free
    Estimated effortlow
    Notes

    Remove dead plant parts to make room for new growth.

7
  1. Taskharvesting
    Label

    Main harvest

    Priorityhigh
    Months
    1. 7
    2. 8
    Conditiondry_weather
    Estimated effortmedium
    Notes

    Harvest in the late morning on sunny days.

Book content
Overview

Oregano, also known as wild marjoram, is an indispensable classic of the Mediterranean herb garden. It impresses not only with its tart aroma but is also one of the most valuable pollinator plants during midsummer.

Structured month tasks
3
  1. Taskmaintenance
    Label

    Spring maintenance

    Prioritymedium
    Months
    1. 3
    2. 4
    Notes

    Remove old stems and lightly loosen the soil.

5
  1. Taskplanting
    Label

    Planting

    Priorityhigh
    Months
    1. 5
    Notes

    Place in a sunny location after the last frosts.

Cultivation specs
Seed
Seed depth cm min.0
Seed depth cm max.0
Light germinatoryes
Dark germinatorno
Cold germinatorno
Stratification neededno
Pre soaking recommendedno
Germination temperature c min.16
Germination temperature c max.22
Germination days min.10
Germination days max.21
Seed lifespan years min.2
Seed lifespan years max.5
Direct sowing possibleyes
Pre culture recommendedyes
Spacing
Plant spacing cm min.25
Plant spacing cm max.30
Row spacing cm min.30
Row spacing cm max.40
Recommended density per sqm min.6
Recommended density per sqm max.9
Thinning distance25 cm
Min. bed width30 cm
Square foot gardening spacing1 per square
Spacing notes

Oregano spreads horizontally over time.

Growth dimensions
Height cm min.20
Height cm max.60
Width cm min.30
Width cm max.50
Root depth cm min.15
Root depth cm max.30
Root spread cm min.20
Root spread cm max.40
Growth speedmedium
Final size notes

Compact growth, slightly woody with age.

Temperature
Min. growing temperature10 °C
Optimal temperature c min.18
Optimal temperature c max.28
Max. heat tolerance35 °C
Soil temperature for sowing c min.12
Soil temperature for sowing c optimal18
Frost sensitiveno
Late frost sensitiveyes
Heat tolerancehigh
Cold tolerancehigh
Temperature notes

Mature plants are well hardy in Central Europe.

Water
Water needlow
Critical water phases
  1. Germination phase
  2. Establishment phase after planting
Drought tolerantyes
Drought sensitivitylow
Waterlogging sensitiveyes
Mulching recommendedno
Water notes

Avoid waterlogging at all costs; prefers dry feet.

Nutrition
Nutrient grouplight_feeder
Heavy feederno
Medium feederno
Light feederyes
Nitrogen needlow
Phosphorus needlow
Potassium needmedium
Calcium needmedium
Magnesium needlow
Compost recommendedyes
Mulching recommendedno
Fertilizer sensitivitymedium
Nutrition notes

Too much nitrogen reduces the aroma.

Container
Container suitableyes
Min. pot volume3 l
Recommended pot volume5 l
Min. pot depth15 cm
Min. pot diameter20 cm
Plants per container min.1
Plants per container max.1
Drainage requiredyes
Repotting neededyes
Container notes

Use permeable substrate (herb soil).

Support
Needs supportno
Support recommendedno
Climbingno
Viningno
Trellis recommendedno
Training requiredno
Support notes

Stable due to woody base.

Cultivation modes
Outdoor bed suitableyes
Raised bed suitableyes
Container suitableyes
Balcony suitableyes
Greenhouse suitableno
Polytunnel suitableno
Indoor suitableyes
Windowsill suitableyes
Hydroponic possibleyes
Permaculture suitableyes
No dig suitableyes
Yield density
Yield per plant min.50
Yield per plant max.150
Yield unitg fresh
Yield per sqm min.300
Yield per sqm max.800
Yield reliabilityhigh
Yield notes

Yield increases with the age of the plant.

Site
Exposure

Full sun to sunny

Shelter requirement

Low; wind tolerant

Soil
Soil type

Sandy-loamy, stony

PH range6.0 - 8.0
Drainage

Excellent

Watering
Frequency

Rarely, only during prolonged drought

Technique

Water directly at the base

Nutrition
Fertilization strategy

Single application of compost in spring is sufficient

Cultivation planning
Succession sowing
Possibleno
Bed planning notes

Good neighbor for cabbage to deter pests.

Rotation prioritylow
Interplanting potentialhigh
Mechanization relevancelow
Crop rotation
Rotation prioritylow
Years break3
Preceding crops
  1. Cabbage
  2. Potatoes
  3. Legumes
Succeeding crops
  1. Tomatoes
  2. Zucchini
  3. Beans
Notes

As a perennial, oregano often remains in the same spot for 4-6 years.

Deficiencies
Common
  1. Slugnitrogen-deficiency
    Name

    Nitrogen deficiency

    Symptoms

    Yellowish leaves, stunted growth.

Problems
Environmental
  1. Slugwaterlogging
    Name

    Waterlogging

    Description

    Most common cause of death; leads to root rot.

  2. Slugwoody-base
    Name

    Woodiness

    Description

    Plant sprouts sparsely if not pruned regularly.

Problem management
Common pest groups
  1. Sucking insects (aphids, leafhoppers)
  2. Spider mites (during drought)
Common disease groups
  1. Soil-borne fungi
  2. Powdery mildew (rare)
Prevention principles
  1. Ensure well-draining soil
  2. Choose a sunny location
  3. Regular pruning in spring
Diagnosis notes

In case of wilting, check soil moisture first; often too much water is the issue.

Disease graph
Scopecentral_europe
Profiles
  1. Slugrhizoctonia-root-rot
    Severityhigh
    Conditions
    1. High soil moisture
    2. Poor drainage
    Affected parts
    1. Roots
    2. Stem base
    Prevention
    1. Mix in sand
    2. Mound planting
    Organic control
    1. Remove affected plants
    2. Loosen soil
Diagnostic rules
  1. Symptom

    Small white dots on leaves

    Possible causes
    1. cicadellidae
    2. thrips
    First checks
    1. Check undersides of leaves for small insects
    2. Observe flight activity when touched
Prevention strategy
Cultural
  1. Keep distance for air circulation
  2. Do not water over the leaves
Monitoring
  1. Weekly check for aphids in May/June
Organic first response
  1. Strong water spray against aphids
  2. Pruning in case of heavy infestation
Notes

Oregano is generally very robust and rarely seriously ill.

Diagnosis
Common misdiagnoses
  1. Autumnal discoloration is confused with nitrogen deficiency.
  2. Drought damage is confused with root rot.
Phenology
Stages
  1. Reshooting in early spring
  2. Vegetative growth phase
  3. Bud formation
  4. Main flowering period
  5. Seed ripening
  6. Transition to winter dormancy
Notes

Oregano is a perennial herb that mostly dies back above ground in winter and resprouts from the rootstock.

Flowering pollination
Flowering period
Months
  1. 6
  2. 7
  3. 8
  4. 9
Notes

The pink to purple flowers appear in dense cymes.

Flower color

Pink, Purple, White

Harvest
Parts harvested
  1. Shoot tips
  2. Leaves
  3. Flowers
Best time of

Late morning, as soon as the dew has dried.

Harvest details
Harvest frequency

Continuously during the growing season; main harvest during flowering.

Harvest indicators
  1. Shoots have reached sufficient length (approx. 15 cm)
  2. Start of bud opening for maximum oil content
  3. Full bloom for use as edible flowers
Post harvest handling

Use fresh or bundle and hang upside down in a shaded, airy place for preservation.

Storage
Methods
  1. Drying
  2. Freezing
  3. Infusing in oil
Storage details
General storage category

Dry pantry or frozen goods

Storage life

Dried approx. 1-2 years with full aroma; frozen approx. 6-12 months.

Processing options
  1. Rubbing of dried leaves
  2. Production of herb salt
  3. Flavoring olive oil
Processing use
Primary use

Culinary spice

Industrial use

Extraction of essential oregano oil for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

Kitchen usage
Flavor profile

Spicy, tart-aromatic, slightly pungent

Dishes
  1. Pizza
  2. Tomato sauces
  3. Mediterranean meat dishes
  4. Grilled vegetables
Cooking notes

Unlike many other herbs, oregano can be cooked for a long time, as it fully develops its aroma under heat.

Safety and edibility
Edible parts
  1. Leaves
  2. Flowers
  3. Young shoot tips
Inedible or caution parts
  1. Heavily woody stems at the base
Toxicity notes

Non-toxic for humans; caution is advised with pets (especially cats) due to essential oils.

Raw consumption

Possible, but aroma is more intense in cooked or dried state.

Seed saving
Collection time

Late summer to autumn, when seed pods are brown and dry.

Method

Cut entire flower heads and shake them out over a cloth.

Seed saving advanced
Isolation distance meters50
Seed viability years3
Purity notes

Oregano cross-pollinates easily with other Origanum species (e.g., marjoram) if they flower at the same time.

Varieties
  1. Slugoriganum-vulgare-hirtum
    Name

    Greek Oregano

    Scientific nameOriganum vulgare subsp. hirtum
    Description

    Considered the subspecies with the most intense flavor; very hardy.

  2. Slugoriganum-vulgare-aureum
    Name

    Golden Oregano

    Scientific nameOriganum vulgare 'Aureum'
    Description

    Striking yellow foliage; slightly milder flavor and sensitive to sun scorch.

  3. Slugoriganum-vulgare-gracile
    Name

    Russian Oregano

    Scientific nameOriganum vulgare subsp. gracile
    Description

    Mild aroma, often used for tea blends.

Woody crop details
Training systems to research
  1. bush_shaping
  2. container_containment
Renewal pruning relevancehigh
Notes

Oregano becomes woody at the base; regular pruning prevents the plant from becoming leggy and bare at the bottom.

Ecology
Pollinator valuehigh
Wildlife valuemedium
Biodiversity notes

Magnet for butterflies and hoverflies; provides a late nectar source.

Practical notes
  1. Title

    Aroma Secret

    Text

    Harvest oregano in the midday sun when the essential oil content is at its peak.

Seasonal content
Spring

Prune back radically now.