Plant 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.

Herbs Mint family

Calendar

Oregano: plant portrait. harvest: June - October.

Quick profile

Key data

Growing calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Indoor sowing

Direct sowing outdoors

Planting outdoors

Harvest

Pruning

Indoor sowingDirect sowing outdoorsPlanting outdoorsHarvestPruning

Suitable growing locations:

Outdoor garden bed Raised bed Container Balcony Windowsill

Good neighbors

CabbageZucchini

Avoid

Garlic

Indoor & direct sowing

Oregano: Sowing and germination

Indoor sowing

Pre-culture on the windowsill possible from February.

Direct sowing outdoors

Direct sowing outdoors after the last frost.

Seed depth0 cm

Germination temp16 - 22 °C

Germination time10 - 21 days

Light germinatorYes

Dark germinatorNo

Cold germinatorNo

Stratification neededNo

Pre-soaking recommendedNo

Planting & site

Oregano: Planting and spacing

Planting outdoors

Planting out pre-grown herbs from mid-May.

Plant spacing25 - 30 cm

Row spacing30 - 40 cm

Plants per m²6 - 9 per m²

Bed widthfrom 30 cm

Site & practical notes

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

Temperature & frost

Oregano: Temperature and site

Growing temperaturefrom 10 °C

Optimal temperature18 - 28 °C

Max. heatup to 35 °C

Soil temperature12 - 18 °C

Frost sensitiveNo

Late frost sensitiveYes

Heat tolerancehigh

Cold tolerancehigh

Water & nutrients

Oregano: Water, nutrients and care

Waterlow

Critical water phasesGermination phase, Establishment phase after planting

Watering methodWater only at the base

Droughtlow

Waterlogging sensitiveYes

Mulching recommendedNo

Nutrient needlight feeder

Compost recommendedYes

Fertilizer sensitivitymedium

Container & growth

Oregano: 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

Plants

Year overview

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Indoor sowing

Direct sowing outdoors

Planting outdoors

Harvest

Pruning

Recurring tasks

Spring maintenance and growth stimulationMarch - April

Radical pruning of old stems to 5 cm above ground before new growth starts.

Main harvestJuly - August

Harvest in the late morning on sunny days.

Harvesting and deadheadingJuly - August

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

Relevant now

June

No additional single task

Next up

July

No additional single task

Monthly tasks

Single tasks from monthly data; repeated seasonal windows are shown in the overview above.

Pruning

January

Quiet month

February

No additional single task

March

Pruning

PruningRemove dead plant parts to make room for new growth.

April

No additional single task

May

No additional single task

June

No additional single task

July

No additional single task

August

No additional single task

September

No additional single task

October

No additional single task

November

Quiet month

December

Quiet month

Flowering & pollination

Oregano Flowering & pollination

Flowering period

Months: 6, 7, 8, 9, Notes: The pink to purple flowers appear in dense cymes.

Flower color

Pink, Purple, White

Self-fertility

partial

Pollinator needed

yes

Overview

Excellent bee pasture; visited by a wide variety of insects.

Notes

Particularly attractive to honeybees, wild bees, hoverflies, and butterflies.

Pruning & care

Oregano Pruning & care

Pruning type

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

Preserve

Avoid

Tools and hygiene

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

Companion guide

Oregano Companion guide

Companion guide

Good neighbors

CabbageZucchini

Avoid

Garlic

Use & storage

Oregano Use & storage

Harvest

Best harvest time just before or during flowering.

Storage

Dry pantry or frozen goods

Storage life

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

Primary use

Culinary spice

Flavor

Spicy, tart-aromatic, slightly pungent

Harvest

Best harvest time just before or during flowering.

Processing

After harvest

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

Edibility & safety

Oregano Edibility & safety

For people

In brief: which parts are edible, which parts remain risky, and whether raw consumption makes sense.

Edible parts:Leaves, Flowers, Young shoot tips

Caution parts:Heavily woody stems at the base

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

Safety notes

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

Animal safety

For animals, the specific plant part matters here: some parts may be suitable, while others should be avoided. At least one critical rating is listed for 11 animal types.

Animal safety by plant part

Each row shows which parts are more suitable and which parts are critical.

Companion animals

Dog

No suitable parts listed

Leaves, Flowers, Young shoot tips

Risk factors

Ingestion of plant parts

Symptoms

Vomiting, Diarrhea

contact a vet if symptoms appear

Oregano contains essential oils that can cause gastrointestinal irritation in dogs. The leaves, flowers, and young shoot tips are considered toxic. Ingestion may lead to vomiting and diarrhea. If symptoms persist, a veterinarian should be consulted.

Open animal page

Cat

No suitable parts listed

Leaves, Flowers, Young shoot tips

Risk factors

Ingestion of plant parts

Symptoms

Vomiting, Diarrhea

contact a vet if ingested

Symptoms are usually mild and self-limiting.

Open animal page

Rabbit

No suitable parts listed

No risk parts listed

unknown

No reliable species-specific assessment is available.

Open animal page

Guinea pig

No suitable parts listed

No risk parts listed

unknown

No reliable species-specific assessment is available.

Open animal page

Hamster

Leaves, Flowers

Heavily woody stems at the base

Risk factors

High concentration of essential oils, Excessive consumption

Symptoms

Gastrointestinal upset, Diarrhea, Vomiting

observe

No reliable species-specific assessment is available.

Open animal page

Budgie

No suitable parts listed

Leaves, Flowers, Young shoot tips

Risk factors

Small body size increases sensitivity to essential oils

Symptoms

Vomiting, Diarrhea

contact a vet if symptoms appear

Oregano contains essential oils that can cause gastrointestinal irritation in budgies. While not classified as highly toxic, ingestion is not recommended due to the risk of stomach upset.

Open animal page

Farm animals

Horse

No suitable parts listed

Leaves, Flowers, Young shoot tips

Risk factors

Ingestion of fresh or dried herb

Symptoms

Mild vomiting, Diarrhea

contact a vet if symptoms appear

Ingestion may cause mild gastrointestinal upset. No parts are considered safe for equine consumption.

Open animal page

Chicken

Leaves, Flowers

Heavily woody stems at the base, Seeds

Risk factors

Indigestible plant material

Symptoms

Mild vomiting, Diarrhea

contact a vet if symptoms appear

Oregano is not recommended for chickens due to the potential risk of essential oils in the plant material.

Open animal page

Duck

Leaves, Flowers

Heavily woody stems at the base

Risk factors

Excessive consumption, Sensitivity to essential oils

Symptoms

Gastrointestinal irritation, Vomiting, Diarrhea

observe

>Oregano leaves and flowers are edible for ducks in small amounts, but essential oils may cause gastrointestinal upset if overconsumed. Woody stems should be avoided. No duck-specific sources found; classification based on general plant toxicity and known waterfowl dietary patterns.

Open animal page

Goose

Leaves, Flowers

Heavily woody stems at the base

Risk factors

Excessive consumption, Sensitivity to essential oils

Symptoms

Gastrointestinal irritation, Vomiting, Diarrhea

observe

No direct species-specific source was found for geese. This is a cautious inference from the ducks profile and the known plant-part risks.

Open animal page

Sheep

Leaves, Flowers

Heavily woody stems at the base

Risk factors

Excessive consumption, Consumption of woody stems

Symptoms

Mild gastrointestinal irritation, Vomiting, Diarrhea

observe

Oregano is suitable for sheep in small amounts as supplemental feed, but essential oils may cause gastrointestinal upset if overconsumed. Woody stems should be avoided. Not for use as primary feed. Consult a veterinarian if symptoms persist.

Open animal page

Goat

Leaves, Flowers

Heavily woody stems at the base

unknown

No reliable species-specific assessment is available.

Open animal page

Cattle

Leaves, Flowers

No risk parts listed

unknown

No reliable species-specific assessment is available.

Open animal page

Pig

Leaves, Flowers

Heavily woody stems at the base

unknown

No reliable species-specific assessment is available.

Open animal page

These guidelines are for general information only and do not replace veterinary diagnosis. If critical plant parts were ingested or the animal shows unusual behaviour or symptoms, seek veterinary advice.

Max risk

4 / 5

Highest status

toxic

Urgency

contact a vet if ingested

Saving seed

Oregano Saving seed

Seed viability

2 - 5 years

Method

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

Practical tips

Oregano Practical tips

Common beginner mistakes

Too much fertilizer leads to soft tissue and poor aroma.

Success pattern

Sunny spot, lean soil, minimal watering.

High-impact tips

Harvest tips regularly to encourage bushy growth.

Grower observations

In very wet winters, the roots suffer more than from the cold.

Plant Profile

Additional plant images

Health

Pests, Diseases

Plant health

Diagnosis help

Oregano Diagnosis help

Pest groups

Disease groups

Prevention

Diagnosis

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

Cultural prevention

Monitoring

Weekly check for aphids in May/June

First response

Diagnostic rules

Small white dots on leaves

Possible causes: Cicadellidae, Thrips

Check undersides of leaves for small insects
Observe flight activity when touched

FAQ

Is oregano winter hardy?

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

Is Oregano safe for Dog?

Oregano is classified as toxic for Dog. Risk: 4 / 5. Urgency: contact a vet if symptoms appear. Oregano contains essential oils that can cause gastrointestinal irritation in dogs. The leaves, flowers, and young shoot tips are considered toxic. Ingestion may lead to vomiting and diarrhea. If symptoms persist, a veterinarian should be consulted.

Is Oregano safe for Cat?

Oregano is classified as toxic for Cat. Risk: 4 / 5. Urgency: contact a vet if ingested. Symptoms are usually mild and self-limiting.

Is Oregano safe for Rabbit?

Oregano is classified as not established for Rabbit. Risk: unknown. Urgency: unknown. No reliable species-specific assessment is available.

Is Oregano safe for Horse?

Oregano is classified as toxic for Horse. Risk: 4 / 5. Urgency: contact a vet if symptoms appear. Ingestion may cause mild gastrointestinal upset. No parts are considered safe for equine consumption.