Oregano
Origanum vulgare
📖 About this plant
Hardy perennial herb with a robust, earthy flavor essential to Italian, Greek, and Mexican cuisines. Dried oregano is often more flavorful than fresh; attracts butterflies.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
Full sun (6-8 hrs)
Every 1-2 weeks
Low (30-50%)
15-28°C
Well-draining, sandy or rocky loam (pH 6.0-7.0); poor soil produces more intense flavor
Minimal; light compost in spring. Too much fertilizer reduces flavor potency.
🌐 Common Names
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- Mediterranean region and Eurasia
- 📏 Max height
- 30-60 cm (12-24 inches)
- 📐 Spread
- 30-45 cm
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Summer
- 🎨 Bloom color
- Pink, Purple
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Green
- ⏳ Lifespan
- Perennial
- 📈 Growth rate
- Moderate
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Non-toxic to humans; safe culinary herb. Non-toxic to pets in normal culinary amounts.
- 🌱 Propagation
- Seed, division, stem cuttings, or layering
🛡️ Health & Safety
Non-toxic to humans; safe culinary herb. Non-toxic to pets in normal culinary amounts.
Common issues
- Root rot from overwatering
- Spider mites
- Whitefly
- Powdery mildew
💡 Care tips
- Flavor intensifies when dried compared to fresh
- Hardy perennial that survives mild winters outdoors
- Prune back by one-third after flowering
- Excellent for Mediterranean and Italian cooking