Oregano plants are a member of the mint family, and are native to the Mediterranean region. They are perennial plants that can grow up to two feet tall and have small, oval-shaped, gray-green leaves. The leaves and stems of the plant are strongly aromatic and have a pungent, slightly bitter flavor. Oregano plants produce small white or pink flowers in the summer. They are easy to grow and can be propagated from cuttings or seeds. Oregano plants prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They are drought-tolerant and can withstand temperatures as low as 10°F.
Planning Your Garden With Oregano
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Perennial |
| USDA Zone | Oregano is a hardy perennial herb that can be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9. |
| Cold Tolerance | Oregano is hardy in USDA zones 5-9, which means it can tolerate temperatures as low as 28. |
| Days to harvest | The minimum number of days to harvest oregano is usually around 60 days. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown oregano plant is between 12 and 24 inches in height and 12 to 18 inches in width. |
| Spacing requirements | Oregano is a hardy perennial herb that can be grown in a variety of spacings, depending on the size of the plant and the amount of space available. Generally, it is recommended to space oregano plants 8-12 inches apart in rows that are 12-18 inches apart. |
| Sun tolerance | Oregano is a sun-loving plant and prefers full sun. It can tolerate some light shade, but it will not grow as vigorously or produce as many flowers and leaves. |
| Shade tolerance | Oregano is a highly tolerant herb and can grow in partial shade to full sun. It prefers full sun for best growth and flavor, but it can also tolerate some shade. |
| Water requirements | Oregano plants prefer soil that is kept evenly moist, but not soggy. Water the oregano regularly, making sure to water deeply to encourage the roots to develop. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. In hot, dry weather, oregano may need to be watered daily. |
| Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer you should use when growing oregano depends on the type of fertilizer you are using and the soil conditions. Generally, a light application of a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 5-10-5 should be applied at the beginning of the growing season and then again every 4-6 weeks throughout the growing season. |
| Soil pH | The optimum pH for growing oregano is 6.0 to 7.0. |
Why Oregano is Popular
People like to grow oregano because it is an easy-to-grow, fragrant herb that is a great addition to many dishes. It is also very versatile and can be used fresh or dried in a variety of recipes. Additionally, oregano is known for its many health benefits, such as being a natural antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant.
Companion Plants For Oregano
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for oregano include:
Common Pests For Oregano
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow oregano, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- snails
- thrips
- slugs
- aphids
- whiteflies
- spider mites
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
