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Herb · Lamiaceae family

Oregano

Origanum vulgare

Full sun 0.3–0.6 m × 0.3–0.8 m Flowers July–September Harvest March–November to −32 °C
Flower colours Click a colour

In short a 10-second read

SunFull sun
Size0.3–0.6 m
spacing 30 cm
FlowersJuly–September
PlantingMarch–April, September–October
PruningMarch–April
WinterNo winter protection

Where to plant and how much to water

Sun, soil and water.

It grows best in full sun, in dry to average soil.

Sun

Sun6 hours or more
Part shade3–6 hours
Shadeunder 3 h

Soil

tolerates any pH
acidicneutralalkaline
dry to averagesandyloamygravelly

Watering

Oregano — Watering
drought tolerant once establishedless when it rains

Frost

−32 °C
no winter protectiondies back in winter, regrows in spring

How much space it takes

Mature size.

The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).

50 cm1 m1.5 m0.3–0.6 mspread 0.3–0.8 m
0.3–0.6 m× spread 0.3–0.8 m

Plant 30 cm apart.

How to plant: staggered, 30 cm apart

Reaches maturity in about 2–5 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.

Calendar

Through the year.

Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.

The year at a glance

Flowers: JanuaryFlowers: FebruaryFlowers: MarchFlowers: AprilFlowers: MayFlowers: JuneFlowers: JulyFlowers: AugustFlowers: SeptemberFlowers: OctoberFlowers: NovemberFlowers: DecemberPlanting: JanuaryPlanting: FebruaryPlanting: MarchPlanting: AprilPlanting: MayPlanting: JunePlanting: JulyPlanting: AugustPlanting: SeptemberPlanting: OctoberPlanting: NovemberPlanting: DecemberFeeding: JanuaryFeeding: FebruaryFeeding: MarchFeeding: AprilFeeding: MayFeeding: JuneFeeding: JulyFeeding: AugustFeeding: SeptemberFeeding: OctoberFeeding: NovemberFeeding: DecemberPruning: JanuaryPruning: FebruaryPruning: MarchPruning: AprilPruning: MayPruning: JunePruning: JulyPruning: AugustPruning: SeptemberPruning: OctoberPruning: NovemberPruning: DecemberHarvest: JanuaryHarvest: FebruaryHarvest: MarchHarvest: AprilHarvest: MayHarvest: JuneHarvest: JulyHarvest: AugustHarvest: SeptemberHarvest: OctoberHarvest: NovemberHarvest: DecemberJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
FlowersPlantingFeedingPruningHarvest
Now, in October: time to harvest.
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Flowers

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

July–September · pink or purple

Planting

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

division: March–April, September–October

Feeding

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May–June

Pruning

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

cut back partly (March–April)

Harvest

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

March–November

What to plant now (October) full list in October (244) →

Feeding

Nutrition.

Oregano — Feeding
No feeding in beds

in pots once in late spring · May–June

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Pruning

When and how to prune.

Months apply to Central Europe.

Oregano — Cut back partly

Cut back partly

MarApr
How to prunePrune moderately: last year’s old flowered stems in early spring, just above the young shoots at the base, so oregano fills out with fresh growth.

Pests and diseases

Common problems and what to do.

The most common problems in Central Europe. Protection is listed from the gentlest option.

Mint rust

Mint rust

Puccinia menthae
diseasesource covers the whole genus
More about this problem

What you will see

Pale, twisted spring shoots; dusty orange, later yellow and black pustules on leaves and stems.

When to look

Spring – autumn

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Remove affected plants before black winter spores form.
  2. By hand earlyDig up and destroy affected plants and rhizomes; replant healthy, unaffected stems elsewhere.
  3. By hand early autumnSoak washed rhizomes for 10 minutes in water at 44 °C (no hotter), cool and plant — a nurserymen's method.
Mint rustdisease · spring – autumn

What you will see

Pale, twisted spring shoots; dusty orange, later yellow and black pustules on leaves and stems.

When to look

Spring – autumn

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Remove affected plants before black winter spores form.
  2. By hand earlyDig up and destroy affected plants and rhizomes; replant healthy, unaffected stems elsewhere.
  3. By hand early autumnSoak washed rhizomes for 10 minutes in water at 44 °C (no hotter), cool and plant — a nurserymen's method.
More about this problem

What you will see

Caterpillars bind shoot tips and flower clusters with silk threads and eat the leaves.

When to look

Spring – summer

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Damage is rarely serious; caterpillars are food for other wildlife.
  2. By hand from the end of AprilFrom the end of April check and remove caterpillars by hand; cut back heavily affected shoots.
Mint mothpest · spring – summer

What you will see

Caterpillars bind shoot tips and flower clusters with silk threads and eat the leaves.

When to look

Spring – summer

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Damage is rarely serious; caterpillars are food for other wildlife.
  2. By hand from the end of AprilFrom the end of April check and remove caterpillars by hand; cut back heavily affected shoots.
More about this problem

What you will see

Coarse pale speckling on the upper leaf surfaces; leafhoppers on the undersides.

When to look

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
April–September

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Affected herbs are safe to eat; no control is needed.
  2. BiologicalEncourage natural enemies (ladybirds, wasps, ground beetles, birds).
Sage and Ligurian leafhopperspest · April–September

What you will see

Coarse pale speckling on the upper leaf surfaces; leafhoppers on the undersides.

When to look

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
April–September

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Affected herbs are safe to eat; no control is needed.
  2. BiologicalEncourage natural enemies (ladybirds, wasps, ground beetles, birds).
More about this problem
Sources (4)

What to combine it with

Ready-made combinations.

Ready-made Studio combinations with this plant

Click a combination — the Studio opens a new raised bed with it already planted.

Frequently asked

Quick answers.

When does oregano flower?

In July–September; the flowers are pink or purple.

When is oregano harvested?

In March–November.

Does oregano tolerate shade?

No, it needs full sun.

How much space does oregano need?

At maturity 0.3–0.8 m wide and 0.3–0.6 m tall; recommended spacing 30 cm.

Mint rust — what can you do?

Remove affected plants before black winter spores form. Dig up and destroy affected plants and rhizomes; replant healthy, unaffected stems elsewhere.

Mint moth — what can you do?

Damage is rarely serious; caterpillars are food for other wildlife. From the end of April check and remove caterpillars by hand; cut back heavily affected shoots.

Sources (8) Checked 20 October 2026

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