How to Plant and Grow Greek Oregano

Origanum vulgare var. hirtum

Greek oregano is probably one of the acquainted of the culinary herbs amongst cooks in North America.

I take advantage of this spicy and flavorful seasoning in nearly every little thing I cook dinner, and subsequently it was one of many very first perennials I planted once I began my backyard – I wished a provide available always!

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Really feel the identical means? Learn on to study all about rising your personal Greek oregano.

There are a selection of species and cultivars which might be referred to generally as oregano, coming from completely different areas and with completely different taste profiles.

A subspecies of Origanum vulgare, Greek oregano is a barely spicy herb with an earthy taste. Native to dry rocky mountainous areas within the Mediterranean, it’s generally used as a seasoning for pizza, sauces, meats, and salads.

This perennial herb is hardy from USDA Zones 5 to 10. It grows about two ft tall and huge, with smooth furry leaves. White aromatic flowers bloom from midsummer to fall, attracting bees and butterflies.

A vigorous grower, this plant spreads naturally through underground runners – so nicely, in actual fact, that it will probably even be used as a floor cowl!

Study extra about rising culinary herbs as a floor cowl right here.

Greek oregano grows wild on mountainous slopes of Greece and Turkey.

Use of Greek oregano dates again to historical Greece, the place it was stated that it was created by the love goddess Aphrodite, who grew it in her backyard atop Mount Olympus as an emblem of pleasure. It was generally planted round houses to keep off evil spirits.

Full of the antimicrobial phenols often called thymol and carvacrol, this herb has additionally been used to deal with quite a lot of illnesses since historical Greek and Roman occasions, reminiscent of indigestion, toothaches, and coughs.

It wasn’t till the Forties that it grew to become well-liked in the US, when it was introduced again by US troopers who had been preventing in Italy throughout World Battle II.

After all, essentially the most important use of this fragrant herb is as a culinary spice. A standard ingredient in Italian and Greek delicacies, it’s utilized in every little thing from pizza and pasta sauce to meats, soups, and vegetable dishes.

Propagation

Vegetation might be propagated from seed, transplants, root cuttings, or by division.

Take a look at our information to rising oregano for detailed directions on propagation.

The right way to Develop

This hardy Mediterranean native is pretty tolerant of nutritionally poor soils, sturdy winds, and scorching, dry circumstances.

Let’s discover methods to give Greek oregano the most effective begin and care by means of the rising season:

Spacing

If planting multiple, house crops at the least a foot aside, or eight to 10 inches aside if rising as floor cowl.

Use bark, shredded leaves, or different pure materials to mulch across the base of crops.

Mild

Greek oregano wants full solar—at the least six to eight hours per day. That is important for the plant to develop its full fragrant potential.

Soil

Oregano doesn’t want wealthy soil—in actual fact, the flavour can change into bland in overly fertile floor. Goal for well-draining, reasonably fertile to poor soil with a pH between 6.5 and seven.0.

In case your soil tends to carry moisture, amend it with compost or grit to extend drainage. Keep away from overly acidic or soggy areas, which may shortly result in root rot.

Temperature and Humidity

This herb thrives in heat, dry environments. Perfect rising temperatures fall between 60 to 80°F.

It might deal with the occasional chilly spell and even frost as soon as established.

Nevertheless, in humid climates, good air circulation is essential to avoiding mildew and different moisture-related points.

Water

Present about an inch of water every week to new crops. As soon as established, let the soil dry out utterly between waterings and water solely when the soil feels dry.

Make sure that to not overwater. This drought tolerant plant is accustomed to dry climates and doesn’t take pleasure in being in waterlogged soil.

Fertilizer

Skip the heavy feeding. Oregano doesn’t want a lot in the way in which of fertilizer.

Container Rising

Since these crops don’t want fixed moisture, they’re a straightforward option to develop in containers.

Select a pot with good drainage and use a sandy or gritty potting combine. Clay pots are splendid as a result of they permit the soil to dry out extra shortly.

Maintain containers in a sunny spot, water solely when the highest inch of soil dries out, and keep away from over-fertilizing.

Overwintering

In Zones 7 and above, Greek oregano can normally overwinter within the floor with minimal safety.

In colder areas (Zones 5-6), mulch with a thick layer of straw or shredded leaves in late fall to guard the roots.

Should you’re rising in containers, transfer them to a sheltered location like an unheated storage or chilly body.

Reduce development in late fall to scale back stress on the plant by means of winter

The place to Purchase

When you’ve got a good friend or neighbor with a longtime plant, ask whether or not they would thoughts when you take a couple of cuttings.

In any other case, this well-liked perennial might be discovered at most nurseries in season, and from on-line retailers as nicely.

Greek Oregano

Eden Brothers sells packets of seeds in quite a lot of sizes.

Or to get a bounce begin, you will discover reside crops in packs of three out there for buy at Burpee.

Upkeep

These powerful herbs don’t want a lot in the way in which of upkeep.

You may also reduce the lifeless branches after the primary frost in fall or in early spring.

Mulch closely in fall across the base of crops to guard them by means of winter, and watch them return with vigor the next spring!

Pests and Illness

Oregano is a hardy, illness resistant plant. It’s really a helpful companion plant for many greens because the fragrant flowers appeal to pollinators and different helpful bugs. It’s also stated to repel cabbage moths.

Whereas there aren’t too many pests and ailments to be involved about, crops can nonetheless undergo injury from aphids, leafminers, and spider mites, in addition to fungal pathogens which will trigger root rot. And as a member of the mint household, Lamiaceae, they’ll often undergo from mint rust.

Make sure to guarantee correct spacing round crops and keep away from overwatering to stop rot. Minor pest infestations can usually be taken care of with a powerful spray from the hose, or by pinching again affected leaves.

Specifics on methods to establish and deal with oregano pests and ailments might be present in our information.

Harvesting

Leaves might be harvested any time after crops are at the least six inches tall, beginning round 45 days after planting.

The perfect time to reap is in mid to late morning, after the dew has evaporated, and when the important oil content material within the foliage is at its highest.

You possibly can harvest as wanted all through the season, or choose a big quantity all of sudden for drying.

Reduce every stem a few quarter inch above a set of leaf nodes. This may trigger the plant to department out and change into bushier because it recovers and places on new development.

Harvest liberally for drying, as leaves will shrink all the way down to a few third of their recent measurement as they dry.

Preserving 

This herb is straightforward to dry and retailer to be used all year long.

When you’ve got a meals dehydrator, set it on the bottom setting, between 95 and 115°F, and examine periodically. Leaves ought to be absolutely dry in round 4 hours. Leaves are prepared when they are often crushed simply in your hand.

You may also air dry leaves by tying stems in bundles and hanging them the wrong way up inside a paper bag with a couple of holes punched in it to permit for airflow. Dangle the baggage in a dry sheltered location.

The bag helps protect leaves from mud and lightweight publicity whereas additionally decreasing the danger of mildew, and because the leaves dry, they’ll start to fall from the stems.

The dried herb might be saved entire, crumbled, or powdered in an hermetic container in a darkish cabinet. I like to recommend storing the leaves entire, as they’ll retain the strongest taste. They are often crushed or powdered simply proper earlier than use.

Discover extra recommendations on drying herbs in our information.

Spice Up Summertime

It’s no surprise Greek oregano has been so well-liked for therefore lengthy!

Not solely is it one of the flavorful culinary herbs on the market, however it’s also extremely hardy and straightforward to develop. Plant some this season and luxuriate in your meals seasoned with backyard recent oregano for years to return.

What’s your favourite use for this herb? Share your ideas within the feedback part beneath.

Wish to study extra about rising perennial herbs? Take a look at these articles subsequent for extra concepts: 

See our TOS for extra particulars. Initially printed Might twenty eighth, 2021. Final up to date: Might seventeenth, 2025. Product picture through Eden Brothers. Uncredited images: Shutterstock.