Oregano
A bee magnet as well as a herb: sun, poor soil and neglect suit it best.
Care
Full sun for the strongest flavour.
Low — drought-tolerant; rots in wet winter soil.
Poor to moderately fertile, very well-drained soil; happy on chalk.
Pick regularly. Cut back after flowering to encourage fresh leaves, and trim old growth to the base in spring.
No feeding in the ground — lean soil gives the best flavour. A light feed occasionally in pots.
Divide in spring, or take softwood cuttings in early summer. Seed of the species comes true; named forms don't.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- MarchCut old stems back to the new growth at the base. how ›
- JulyHarvest just before flowering for drying — the flavour is strongest then.
- SeptemberTrim after flowering to encourage a fresh flush of leaves.
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchCut old stems back to the new growth at the base. how ›
- JulyHarvest just before flowering for drying — the flavour is strongest then.
- SeptemberTrim after flowering to encourage a fresh flush of leaves.
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- FebruaryCut old stems back to the new growth at the base. how ›
- JulyHarvest just before flowering for drying — the flavour is strongest then.
- SeptemberTrim after flowering to encourage a fresh flush of leaves.
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- FebruaryCut old stems back to the new growth at the base. how ›
- JulyHarvest just before flowering for drying — the flavour is strongest then.
- SeptemberTrim after flowering to encourage a fresh flush of leaves.
Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Clump fails to regrow after a wet winter.
What to do. Grow in gritty soil or a raised bed.
How to spot it. Orange pustules on leaves.
What to do. Cut back hard and remove affected growth.
How to spot it. Mild-tasting leaves.
What to do. Too much shade, water or feed.
Questions
Oregano: is it hardy?
H6: Hardy in the vast majority of UK gardens. It survives down to −20 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Yes, in gritty compost.
Oregano: when do you prune it?
Pick regularly. In the calendar for UK, pruning falls in March, September.
Oregano: when does it flower?
In the climate of UK it flowers in July–September.
When do you feed it?
No feeding in the ground — lean soil gives the best flavour. A light feed occasionally in pots.