Whether you garden in the ground, in raised beds, on the windowsill, or anywhere else, oregano is a great addition or re-addition to your plant family. Read on for simple, straightforward specifics about growing oregano.
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Family | Container Size | Good Companions | Bad Companions | Soil Conditions | Germination | Sun | Water | Temperature Range | Height | Lifespan | Reproduction | Ingestibility | Further Reading
What Family Does Oregano Belong To?
Oregano (Origanum vulgare) belongs to the Lamiaceae family, also known as the mint family.
Some of its relatives include spearmint, basil, and rosemary.
What Size Container Should I Use for Growing Oregano?
The minimum container depth recommended for oregano is 8 inches.
Learn more in our Choosing the Right Planter for Your Container Garden article here.
What Are Good Companion Plants for Oregano?
Some of oregano's best companions are as follows:
- Broccoli, cauliflower, and other Brassicas. Oregano repels cabbage moths, so it is an excellent companion for plants in the Brassicaceae (cabbage) family.
- Cucumber, melons, and squash. Oregano repels cucumber beetles and squash bugs, making it a great companion for plants in the Cucurbitaceae (melon) family.
- Basil
- Tulsi
- Chives
- Onion
- Parsley
- Rose
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Savory
- Thyme
- Chamomile
- Tomato
- Strawberry
What Are Bad Companion Plants for Oregano?
Oregano is not compatible with every plant. Some things to avoid planting with oregano are as follows:
- Chard and other shade-lovers
- Watercress
Marshmallow
What Soil Conditions Does Oregano Need?
Oregano prefers light, well-draining soil that is average to moderately fertile and has a neutral pH.
How Long Does Oregano Take to Germinate?
Oregano takes 4-14 days to germinate at a temperature of 65-75°F.
How Much Sun Does Oregano Need?
Oregano needs 8-12 hours of sun per day.
How Much Water Does Oregano Need?
To determine how much and how often to water oregano, pay close attention to the soil moisture level.
When the top half-inch of the soil has dried out, water the oregano deeply.
How quickly the soil dries out depends on weather conditions such as temperature and humidity. Oregano planted in a container will dry out more quickly than oregano planted in the ground.
What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Growing Oregano?
Oregano grows fastest in temperatures of 70-80°F.
This is its ideal temperature range. Although it will grow in temperatures both cooler and warmer than this range, the growth could be slower or even stunted.
Minimum and maximum temperatures vary by variety.
How Tall Does Oregano Get?
The average height of oregano is 1-2 feet.
It can also grow up to 18 inches wide.
Is Oregano Annual, Biennial, or Perennial?
Oregano is a perennial herb, meaning that it lives for longer than a couple years.
Oregano has an average lifespan of 5-6 years when grown in optimal conditions.
How Does Oregano Reproduce?
Oregano reproduces by seed and by runners.
It can be propagated by cutting.
Can Oregano Be Ingested?
Oregano leaves are edible.
Oregano leaves have antioxidant, antiseptic, and carminative properties and can be used in herbal preparations. The most common preparations are broths, capsules, and herbal extracts.
There are no known safety concerns associated with ingesting oregano leaves.
Further Reading
This article is intended as a quick-reference guide for gardeners. Consult your seed packet or seed catalog for variety-specific information.
When you have a bumper crop of oregano rolling in, you may not have enough time for long, complicated recipes or many-step preservation procedures. Check out my article on quick, simple uses for oregano here!
Oregano is featured in these Plant to Plate articles: