Profile
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.

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
Planting and spacing
Temperature and site
Water, nutrients and care
Container, support and growth
Year plan
Oregano Calendar
Indoor sowing
Pre-culture on the windowsill possible from February.
Direct sowing
Direct sowing outdoors after the last frost.
Planting
Planting out pre-grown herbs from mid-May.
Harvest
Best harvest time just before or during flowering.
Year plan
- Pruning
- 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
Spring maintenance and growth stimulation Radical pruning of old stems to 5 cm above ground before new growth starts.
summer
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
Good neighbors
CabbageZucchiniCabbage
Avoid
Garlic
Health
Pests, Diseases
Plant health
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
Rosemary
Root rot
Lavender
Thyme
Internal links
Related plants
Sources
Public sources
- Wikidata entity
Wikidata · 2026-05-14
- GBIF species match
GBIF · 2026-05-14
- Deutschsprachige Wikipedia: Oregano
Wikipedia · 2026-05-14
- English Wikipedia: Oregano
Wikipedia · 2026-05-14
Details
More public plant data
Names
Common
Oregano
Plural
Oregano
Scientific synonyms
- Origanum floridum
- Thymus origanum
Synonyms
- Wild marjoram
- European oregano
- Common oregano
Common synonyms
- Wild marjoram
Regional names
- Dorst
- Wohlgemut
Historical names
Market names
- Pizza herb
Misspellings
- Oregano
International names
Fr
- origan
It
- origano
Es
- orégano
Pl
- lebiodka pospolita
Ambiguous names
- NameMajoranLanguagede
Shared with
- Origanum majorana
Clarification
Oregano (O. vulgare) is a hardy perennial, whereas sweet marjoram (O. majorana) is typically grown as an annual.
Search terms
- oregano
- wild marjoram
- culinary herbs
- medicinal plants
Taxonomy
Clades
- Tracheophyta
- Angiospermae
- Eudicotidae
- Asteridae
- Lamiids
Family
Mint family
Related crops
- Origanum majorana
- Thymus vulgaris
- Salvia officinalis
Classification
Edible parts
- leaves
- flowers
Calendar
Sowing indoor
Months
- 2
- 3
- 4
Notes
Pre-culture on the windowsill possible from February.
Sowing outdoor
Months
- 5
- 6
Notes
Direct sowing outdoors after the last frost.
Planting out
Months
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
Notes
Planting out pre-grown herbs from mid-May.
Harvest
Months
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
Notes
Best harvest time just before or during flowering.
Month tasks
1
Maintain winter dormancy; protect with brushwood during black frost.
2
Start sowing under glass.
3
Prune old shoots back to the ground.
4
Prick out and harden off young plants.
5
Planting out in the field; direct sowing possible.
6
First harvest of shoot tips; weed control.
7
Main harvest during flowering for maximum aroma.
8
Pruning after the first bloom encourages new growth.
9
Last light harvest; no more heavy pruning.
10
Clean planting area; collect seeds for sowing.
11
Apply frost protection to young plants.
12
No actions required.
Month tasks structured
3
- Taskpruning
Label
Pruning
PrioritymediumMonths
- 3
Conditionfrost_freeEstimated effortlowNotes
Remove dead plant parts to make room for new growth.
7
- Taskharvesting
Label
Main harvest
PriorityhighMonths
- 7
- 8
Conditiondry_weatherEstimated effortmediumNotes
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
- Taskmaintenance
Label
Spring maintenance
PrioritymediumMonths
- 3
- 4
Notes
Remove old stems and lightly loosen the soil.
5
- Taskplanting
Label
Planting
PriorityhighMonths
- 5
Notes
Place in a sunny location after the last frosts.
Cultivation specs
Seed
Spacing
Spacing notes
Oregano spreads horizontally over time.
Growth dimensions
Final size notes
Compact growth, slightly woody with age.
Temperature
Temperature notes
Mature plants are well hardy in Central Europe.
Water
Critical water phases
- Germination phase
- Establishment phase after planting
Water notes
Avoid waterlogging at all costs; prefers dry feet.
Nutrition
Nutrition notes
Too much nitrogen reduces the aroma.
Container
Container notes
Use permeable substrate (herb soil).
Support
Support notes
Stable due to woody base.
Cultivation modes
Yield density
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
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
Bed planning notes
Good neighbor for cabbage to deter pests.
Crop rotation
Preceding crops
- Cabbage
- Potatoes
- Legumes
Succeeding crops
- Tomatoes
- Zucchini
- Beans
Notes
As a perennial, oregano often remains in the same spot for 4-6 years.
Deficiencies
Common
- Slugnitrogen-deficiency
Name
Nitrogen deficiency
Symptoms
Yellowish leaves, stunted growth.
Problems
Environmental
- Slugwaterlogging
Name
Waterlogging
Description
Most common cause of death; leads to root rot.
- Slugwoody-base
Name
Woodiness
Description
Plant sprouts sparsely if not pruned regularly.
Problem management
Common pest groups
- Sucking insects (aphids, leafhoppers)
- Spider mites (during drought)
Common disease groups
- Soil-borne fungi
- Powdery mildew (rare)
Prevention principles
- Ensure well-draining soil
- Choose a sunny location
- Regular pruning in spring
Diagnosis notes
In case of wilting, check soil moisture first; often too much water is the issue.
Disease graph
Profiles
- Slugrhizoctonia-root-rotSeverityhigh
Conditions
- High soil moisture
- Poor drainage
Affected parts
- Roots
- Stem base
Prevention
- Mix in sand
- Mound planting
Organic control
- Remove affected plants
- Loosen soil
Diagnostic rules
Symptom
Small white dots on leaves
Possible causes
- cicadellidae
- thrips
First checks
- Check undersides of leaves for small insects
- Observe flight activity when touched
Prevention strategy
Cultural
- Keep distance for air circulation
- Do not water over the leaves
Monitoring
- Weekly check for aphids in May/June
Organic first response
- Strong water spray against aphids
- Pruning in case of heavy infestation
Notes
Oregano is generally very robust and rarely seriously ill.
Diagnosis
Common misdiagnoses
- Autumnal discoloration is confused with nitrogen deficiency.
- Drought damage is confused with root rot.
Phenology
Stages
- Reshooting in early spring
- Vegetative growth phase
- Bud formation
- Main flowering period
- Seed ripening
- 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
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
Notes
The pink to purple flowers appear in dense cymes.
Flower color
Pink, Purple, White
Harvest
Parts harvested
- Shoot tips
- Leaves
- 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
- Shoots have reached sufficient length (approx. 15 cm)
- Start of bud opening for maximum oil content
- 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
- Drying
- Freezing
- 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
- Rubbing of dried leaves
- Production of herb salt
- 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
- Pizza
- Tomato sauces
- Mediterranean meat dishes
- 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
- Leaves
- Flowers
- Young shoot tips
Inedible or caution parts
- 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
Purity notes
Oregano cross-pollinates easily with other Origanum species (e.g., marjoram) if they flower at the same time.
Varieties
- Slugoriganum-vulgare-hirtum
Name
Greek Oregano
Scientific nameOriganum vulgare subsp. hirtumDescription
Considered the subspecies with the most intense flavor; very hardy.
- Slugoriganum-vulgare-aureum
Name
Golden Oregano
Scientific nameOriganum vulgare 'Aureum'Description
Striking yellow foliage; slightly milder flavor and sensitive to sun scorch.
- Slugoriganum-vulgare-gracile
Name
Russian Oregano
Scientific nameOriganum vulgare subsp. gracileDescription
Mild aroma, often used for tea blends.
Woody crop details
Training systems to research
- bush_shaping
- container_containment
Notes
Oregano becomes woody at the base; regular pruning prevents the plant from becoming leggy and bare at the bottom.
Ecology
Biodiversity notes
Magnet for butterflies and hoverflies; provides a late nectar source.
Practical notes
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.



