Growing Oregano, also Pot Marjoram

Oreganum spp : Lamiaceae / the mint family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    S                  
        T              
      P P              

(Best months for growing Oregano in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Sow in garden, or start in seed trays. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 64°F and 77°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 6 inches apart
  • Harvest in 6-8 weeks. When flowers appear.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Broccoli
  • "Pizza" oregano
  • Oregano flowering
  • Variegated Origanum

Perennial growing to around 45 cm (17") high. Cut the stems back to the ground to encourage new growth.

There are two main varieties.

"Greek Oregano" is the type normally associated with Oregano flavor.

"Common Oregano" or Marjoram has a less pungent, sweeter taste and is more commonly grown.

For best flavour harvest in the morning just after the dew has lifted.

Easily propagated from root division. It can be hard to germinate seed. Can be grown from cuttings.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Oregano

Used to flavour tomato dishes, soups, sauces and Greek dishes like moussaka.

Your comments and tips

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08 Mar 21, Marguerite (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
I propagated Oreganum from store bought. Here in Gordon's Bay it has flourished as a ground cover during winter and dry summer (I did have to water when they looked wilted for more than two days though). No flowers, so I'll see what the winter rains do this year. We have hydrophobic sand so it served well as a ground cover really vigorous growth, with sun until about 3pm.
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05 Feb 19, Sandra (Australia - temperate climate)
Maybe a bit of a silly question- but are the western suburbs of Sydney considered temperate ? Thank you
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05 Feb 19, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
It suggests you are sub tropical - I would say probably more sub tropical than temperate. You can have very hot summers - hotter than us - sub tropical (Bundaberg).. Winters here are generally 10 - 4-5 min and 20-25 max. Work around these figures.
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25 May 18, C.S.Melville (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
My grand daughter planted the seeds from Checkers and its growing.Isnt it the wrong time as it looks like I will have to transplant them and its nearly winter
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23 Aug 17, Tracey Flynn (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi..I have come across a great recipe Jamie Olivers Spicy Lamb Shanks...Absolutely Yum if a meat eater....He suggests Oregano OR Marjoram. I I have used Oregano....I want to grow at my home....wondering why he chose between the 2 herbs....I googled and seems to have an Italian taste.....
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02 Sep 17, Anne-Marie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Tracey, my husband makes this yummy dish often and always uses Oregano - better flavour, more versatile and can be used in several other recipes we make, like bolognaise sause, with oven baked Mullet, chicken bone broth. We have grown oregano both in the ground and pot, morning sun and not too wet or it will die! I recently bought some in a pot and repotted it to a larger pot within 3-4 weeks... grows very quickly! We've had a very mild winter (warm days) but very cold nights.
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24 Jul 17, Ian (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Please advise on how much water oregano needs.
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05 Apr 16, Carol (USA - Zone 7a climate)
?? Full sun for oregano
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08 Aug 14, Michelle (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
im am growing oregano under a box in the dark and its actually growing
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07 Feb 14, Fawole Olagoke (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Thanks for all the information on the internet.Please where can l get seeds for Oregano plant,sage plant,marjoram and paprika in South Africa
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