Pretty Chill
Full Sunlight
Keep Soil Dry
Not Pet Safe
FULL SUNLIGHT
More sun = more 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!
6+ HOURS OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT DAILY
Too little light will result in leggy growth and weaker flavor.
FIND YOUR LIGHT
Take a moment to note which direction the windows face in your space. Then tap around the room below to see how the light hits throughout the day.
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SOUTH-FACING WINDOW
⊹ Highest amount of sunlight ⊹
⊹ Consistent light all day ⊹
⊹ Perfect for "full sun" plants ⊹
EAST-FACING WINDOW
⊹ Soft morning sunlight ⊹
⊹ Avoids harsh afternoon rays ⊹
⊹ Perfect for low to indirect light plants ⊹
⚠︎ May not be bright enough for "full sun" plants
WEST-FACING WINDOW
⊹ Brightest in the afternoon ⊹
⊹ Warm, golden hour glow ⊹
⊹ Great for indirect-sun lovers ⊹
⚠︎ Can overheat sensitive plants
NORTH-FACING WINDOW
⊹ No direct sunlight ⊹
⊹ Avoids harsh afternoon rays ⊹
⊹ Perfect for shade-tolerant plants ⊹
⚠︎ Can be too dim for most houseplants. If this is your only light source, consider using a grow light for your sun-loving plants!
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WATER WHEN DRY
Give oregano 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.
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.
SOIL
OREGANO DIGS A DRY AND FAST-DRAINING MIX
When choosing a potting mix for this herb, look for mixes that include:
PERLITE or
PERLITE or
Looks like tiny white popcorn bits mixed into the soil. Improves drainage and prevents waterlogging.
COARSE SAND
Looks like gritty and chunky beach sand. Like perlite, it improves drainage and prevents waterlogging.
HARVESTING
ALWAYS USE CLEAN SCISSORS OR HANDS
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.
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!
COMMON ISSUES
YELLOWING
A sign of overwatering or poor drainage of the pot. Soil that remains soggy can lead to root rot. Remember, oregano prefers to stay on the drier side.
Remove affected leaves. Dry out soil completely (1-5 days). Adjust your watering schedule for this plant.
If problem persists and/or you suspect root rot: remove from pot, trim away dead mushy roots, and repot in fresh soil.
WEAK GROWTH
A definite sign of not enough sunlight.
If you notice oregano leaf growth has started to slow or if it starts looking leggy and weak, it's time to move it to a brighter spot.
BROWN SPOTS
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.
PESTS
Sometimes issues can be the result of a pest infestation. Watch out for these creepy crawlers:
Aphids
Spider Mites
Whiteflies
