Oregano
Origanum vulgare
Also listed as Origanum floridum, Thymus origanum
Also known as Wild Marjoram
Climate Match for your location
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A hardy Mediterranean herb with small, fragrant, gray-green leaves and tiny pink, purple, or white flowers. Oregano is a classic culinary herb that thrives in sunny, dry locations and is extremely low-maintenance.
Why grow it
Oregano offers stronger flavor intensity and more robust growth than many other culinary herbs, making it a reliable choice for fresh and dried culinary use. Unlike some Mediterranean herbs, it tolerates occasional moisture and partial shade better than marjoram, though it still prefers well-draining soil and full sun. Its winter hardiness in temperate zones and ability to spread gradually make it more persistent than tender annual herbs.
Watch out for
Oregano can become woody and less productive after several years of growth, so periodic division or replacement improves leaf quality and plant vigor. In rich, overly moist soils, it tends toward leafy growth with reduced essential oil concentration, diminishing flavor intensity compared to plants grown in lean, dry conditions.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Lamiaceae
Native Range
Mediterranean
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Notable Cultivars
Common cultivars include 'Greek' (Origanum heracleoticum), prized for superior flavor and hardiness, and 'Italian' or 'Golden', valued for culinary use and ornamental foliage respectively.
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A hardy Mediterranean herb with small, fragrant, gray-green leaves and tiny pink, purple, or white flowers. Oregano is a classic culinary herb that thrives in sunny, dry locations and is extremely low-maintenance.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Oregano grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Oregano offers stronger flavor intensity and more robust growth than many other culinary herbs, making it a reliable choice for fresh and dried culinary use. Unlike some Mediterranean herbs, it tolerates occasional moisture and partial shade better than marjoram, though it still prefers well-draining soil and full sun. Its winter hardiness in temperate zones and ability to spread gradually make it more persistent than tender annual herbs.
Watch out for
Oregano can become woody and less productive after several years of growth, so periodic division or replacement improves leaf quality and plant vigor. In rich, overly moist soils, it tends toward leafy growth with reduced essential oil concentration, diminishing flavor intensity compared to plants grown in lean, dry conditions.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Lamiaceae
Native Range
Mediterranean
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
Similar herbs you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.
Companion Planting
Plants well with
2
Avoid near
Notable Cultivars
Common cultivars include 'Greek' (Origanum heracleoticum), prized for superior flavor and hardiness, and 'Italian' or 'Golden', valued for culinary use and ornamental foliage respectively.