Growing Oregano in the Kitchen and Herb Garden

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is a perennial plant that’s also known as “wild marjoram” and grows well in zones 1-24. It’s a European and Asian native with dark green, oval-shaped leaves which are used either fresh or dried. In the summer or early fall, it blooms purple-pink or white, little flowers. Standard varieties grow 1-2 1/2 feet tall and may spread out to 3 feet wide, but there are variations as dwarf varieties are also available.

Truly wild oregano has little or no scent, but if it’s purchased at a nursery or garden center, the gardener can be fairly certain that it’s a variety grown for culinary use. That said, it’s make sense for a gardener to rub a leaf or to and smell it before making a purchase.

One of the best ways for a gardener to be sure that an oregano variety is going to be the right one for Italian dishes such as pizza or pasta sauce, is to grow Greek or Italian oregano (Origanum vulgare hirtum). Its leaves are gray-green, fuzzy, broader than it’s cousins’ and has a spicier flavor. This is the oregano that’ll give food that wonderful, spicy punch. There are many varieties of oregano to enjoy in the garden as well as those that have variegated or golden leaves.

Oregano Varieties

• ‘Aureum’ (Golden marjoram) – This oregano variety has bright-gold leaves in the spring that darken as they age and become light green by late summer or fall.
• ‘Compact Pink Flowered’ – This variety has pungent, dark-green leaves and blooms in dark pink flowers.
• ‘Aureum Crispum’ – This is basically the original Aureum but with interesting, crinkly leaves.
• ‘Compactum’ – This is an interesting oregano that won’t give you many flowers (if at all) but it’s leaves do turn purple in the winter.
• ‘White Anniversary’ – Its white flowers are barely noticeable, but this variety has attractive, bright-green foliage with white margins. It’s a terrific choice for gardeners that are looking for a groundcover or edging plant. Nice for containers, too.
• ‘Greek oregano’ or ‘Italian oregano’ – This is the right one for those interested in growing oregano predominately for the kitchen.

Growing Oregano

Like many herbs, oregano is a sun-worshipper and likes to be planted in the garden in an area that receives full sun 6-8 hours is perfect. Although, it’ll do just fine with a bit less. It enjoys well-drained soil with good organic matter, but grows quite well in rocky areas. When oregano is planted in good, loamy garden soil, it takes well and spreads quickly. It needs even watering while it’s getting established in its new home, but after that, oregano requires only moderate watering.

If the gardener’s main objective is to encourage leaf production for culinary dishes, the plant should be kept trimmed to prevent it from blooming. The production of blossoms sends a signal to the plant that its life cycle is coming to an end and it’ll slow down or stop producing leaves. Start harvesting the leaves (with the stems) when the stems are 4″-5″ inches tall.

Oregano requires very little attention and certainly none that’s special to keep it happy and producing many pungent, aromatic leaves for the gardener’s kitchen. Growing oregano in pots or containers is an alternative to planting the herb in a garden bed. It’s the perfect solution for gardeners with very little space or those who would like to grow oregano near the kitchen door.

Propagation

Oregano can be started easily from seeds, as well as stem cuttings (before the stem blooms). But the simplest way is from divisions off of a mature plant. Divide established oregano plants in the spring or fall. The gardener should dig the entire plant out of the soil. Depending on how large the plant is, the gardener can use a could of pitchforks or hand spades.

The tools are stuck into the center of the plant and then the tools are pulls away from each other dividing the plant into two. The two (or however many were divided) plants should then be planted immediately into new beds or containers. many gardeners divide oregano in the fall to pot up a plant to grow indoors for the winter.

Oregano’s versatile character doesn’t stop at the kitchen garden. It’s also excellent for perennial garden beds and traditional home landscaping areas. It makes a beautiful, low-maintenance, scented groundcover. Last, but not least, if oregano is left to bloom its flowers attract many pollinating insects.

For more articles about herbs check out How to Grow Cilantro and Coriander in the Herb Garden, How to Grow Parsley in the Kitchen Garden, Herb Plants for Shady Garden Areas.