Oregano

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FULL SUN

6+ hours of direct sunlight daily

☼ More sun = more flavor ☼

Too little light will result in leggy growth and weaker flavor.

In full sun, oregano will eventually bolt as part of its natural life cycle.

Unlike basil or cilantro, oregano flowering doesn’t have much of a negative effect. It may affect flavor slightly, not dramatically. You can snip off the buds or let it bloom!

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Keep soil dry

Let soil dry completely before watering

Give it a thorough soak and then let the soil dry out completely between waterings. Make sure your pot has good drainage! Overwatering is the easiest way to get on this herb’s bad side.

Oregano prefers low humidity.

Indoor humidity is usually fine as long as it has good airflow. Keep oregano out of humid conditions and try to water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting its leaves.

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soil needs

Oregano digs a dry, fast-draining mix that basically mimics its Mediterranean origins.

When choosing a potting mix for oregano, look for mixes that include:

ᯓ Perlite and/or Coarse Sand ᯓ

Improves drainage and prevents waterlogging.

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Harvesting

You can start harvesting your oregano when it is about 4 to 6 inches tall or right before it flowers, for best flavor!

Try to harvest every 1 to 2 weeks or as needed to maintain shape and encourage growth.

⊹ Use Clean Scissors or Fingers ⊹

Always use sanitized scissors or pinch off stems with clean hands to prevent spreading germs.

⊹ Identify the Pruning Spot ⊹

To find the perfect cutting spot: follow the stem down to where it meets a little pair of leaves.

Snip just above the pair of leaves, this will encourage a new stem to grow again! Make sure to leave some growth behind so the herb has energy to bounce back.

⊹ Remove Flower Buds ⊹

When oregano flowers (bolts), the leaves may get a little tougher or slightly bitter, but it’s not usually a dramatic change.

If you want the strongest flavor from your oregano leaves, snip the flowers away as they grow. Or you can leave them for pollinators!

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⊹ Oregano Recipe ⊹

Common Issues

A sign of overwatering or poor drainage. Soil that has been overwatered can lead to root rot.
Remove affected leaves.
If soil is damp: dry out the soil for a day or two. If the problem persists, remove plant from pot, trim away dead, mushy roots, and repot in fresh soil.
If soil is bone dry: wilting can occur in harsher sun, so a thorough watering can help perk it back up.
If you notice your plant is looking leggy and weak, try moving it to a sunnier spot.
Most likely caused by humid or crowded conditions.
Oregano is prone to fungal issues, especially if its leaves stay wet. Remove affected leaves.
Avoid high humidity, misting, and overhead watering. Pruning back some crowded growth can help give it more breathing room.
Often due to not enough sunlight.
Oregano develops its strongest flavor when grown in full sun and soil that is kept fairly dry.

Sometimes issues can be the result of a pest infestation. Make sure to watch out for these creepy crawlers:

𖢥 Aphids

𖢥 Spider Mites

𖢥 Whiteflies

NOT Pet Safe

Oregano can be mildly toxic to pets if ingested. If you have pets, keep this herb out of their reach.

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