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Summary

Oregano is a densely growing plant for sunny positions; it makes a good ground cover despite being slow to spread. An excellent flavouring for cooked foods and salads, it is an ideal companion plant and is said to repel insect pests. The sub-species O. vulgare hirtum comes from Greece and is more aromatic. Harvest stems after three months once the plant is established. Two other Origanum species with tasty leaves worth considering are Sweet Marjoram (O. Majorana), native to Cyprus and Turkey, and Pot Marjoram (O. onites), native to Turkey, Greece and Italy (Sicilia). Pot Marjoram leaves, with a robust thyme-like aroma, are used as a substitute for Oregano or Marjoram but are inferior in flavour. They are slightly bitter and not nearly as sweet and delicate as Sweet Marjoram or Oregano, but the flavour lasts longer in cooked dishes. Harvesting: Harvest leaves from the first year all year but are best in late spring to summer, just before the plant begins to flower.

Physical Characteristics

Origanum onites is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses: Condiment Tea

Leaves - raw or cooked. They are used as a flavouring for salad dressings, vegetables and legumes and are best added in the final stages of cooking[183, 238]. A strong thyme-like aroma, the leaves are used as a substitute for oregano or marjoram, but they are inferior in flavour[183, 238]. A slightly bitter flavour, it is not nearly so sweet and delicate as O. majorana or O. vulgare[244]. Its flavour, however, lasts longer in cooked dishes[244]. A herb tea is made from the leaves[183].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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Antiseptic Antispasmodic Carminative Cholagogue Diaphoretic Disinfectant Emmenagogue Expectorant
Stimulant Stomachic Tonic

The leaves and flowering stems are antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, cholagogue, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, stimulant, stomachic and mildly tonic[4, 21]. They are harvested in the summer and can be used fresh or dried[238].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Disinfectant Dye Essential Pot-pourri

Agroforestry uses: Oregano can be used as a companion plant, helping to attract beneficial insects and improving the overall health of surrounding plants. It may also help deter certain pests. An essential oil from the leaves is used as a food flavouring and in perfumery[57, 61, 171]. The leaves and flowering stems are added to pot-pourri and scented articles[238]. The plant is often used to disinfect bee hives[7]. 1. Nectary - Flowers rich in nectar and pollen: Yes – Oregano produces small flowers that are rich in nectar, attracting various pollinators such as bees and butterflies. 2. Wildlife - Food (Fruit, Seeds, Leaf litter, Shelter, Nesting, Roosting): Yes – While oregano itself does not produce significant fruit or seeds, the leaves are edible and nutritious for humans and can provide some food value for wildlife. Its dense foliage can offer shelter, although it is not typically used for nesting. 3. Invertebrate Shelter (Overwintering sites, Leaf litter, Groundcover): Yes – Oregano can provide habitat for beneficial insects and contribute to ground cover. Its structure may support some invertebrates, and leaf litter can provide overwintering sites for various organisms. 4. Pest Confuser (Smell): Yes – Oregano has a strong aromatic scent that can help confuse or deter some pests, making it beneficial in companion planting scenarios.

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife Scented Plants

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a rather dry, warm, well-drained soil, but is not fussy as to soil type[1, 18], thriving on chalk[1]. Prefers slightly alkaline conditions[200]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to about -10°c[200]. Sometimes cultivated as a culinary herb. A good companion plant, improving the flavour of nearby plants[18, 20]. The flowers are very attractive to bees[108]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]. Oregano is typically harvested in late spring to summer, just before the plant begins to flower. Oregano generally flowers from mid-summer to early autumn. Oregano grows relatively quickly, reaching maturity in about 2-3 months under optimal conditions. Oregano is self-fertile.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow early spring at 10 - 13°c and only just cover the seed. Germination usually takes place within 2 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. The seed can also be sown in situ in late spring. Division in March or October. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer. Basal cuttings of young barren shoots in June. Very easy. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Turkey. EUROPE: Greece (incl. Crete), Italy, Sicilia,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Origanum compactum		Perennial	0.3	-		LMH	N	DM	1	0
Origanum dictamnus	Dittany Of Crete, Hop Marjoram	Perennial	0.2	7-9	M	LMH	N	DM	2	1
Origanum glandulosum		Perennial	0.0	-		LMH	N	DM	1	0
Origanum isthmicum		Perennial	0.0	-		LMH	SN	DM	1	0
Origanum majorana	Sweet Marjoram	Perennial	0.6	6-9	F	LMH	SN	DM	3	3	3
Origanum syriacum	Bible Hyssop	Perennial	1.0	7-10		LMH	SN	DM	2	0	0
Origanum virens		Perennial	1.0	-		LMH	SN	DM	1	0
Origanum vulgare	Oregano, Pot Marjoram	Perennial	0.6	4-10	M	LMH	SN	DM	4	3	5
Origanum vulgare hirtum	Greek Oregano	Perennial	0.6	4-8	M	LMH	SN	DM	4	3	3
Origanum x hybridum		Perennial	0.3	7-10		LMH	SN	DM	1	0
Origanum x majoricum	Hardy Marjoram	Perennial	0.6	6-9		LMH	SN	DM	2	2	3

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Origanum onites - L.