Every wondered how to grow oregano? If you looking for tips for growing oregano, then read through.
Oregano is a perennial herb that is a staple in several Mediterranean, Italian, and French dishes. It offers several medicinal benefits and attracts relevant insects and pollinators to the garden.
The herb serves as a great companion to vegetable plants like eggplants, squash, beans, cabbage, and broccoli. It repels harmful pests and ensures better growth of other plants.
Like any other herb, oregano requires suitable conditions like sunlight, soil, and water to grow. Here are some of its other requirements (along with the process):
Things Needed to Grow an Oregano Plant
Before you start growing the oregano plant, here are some of the prerequisites and details that you must know:
Sun: Part to full sun
Water: Only required when the soil feels dry to touch, do not overwater
Soil: Light, well-drained, moderately fertile soil
Size: 1-2 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide
Soil pH: Acidic, neutral
Humidity: Does not prefer humid conditions
Hardiness zone: 4-10 USDA
Bloom time: Summer
Others: Herb growing accessories
Soil Requirements for Oregano
Oregano requires sandy loam soil to grow well. It should be dry, well-drained, light, and free from organic matter. Remember that oregano doesn’t perform well in moist soil. So, keep it free from such conditions.
The soil pH can range from 6 to 8. Although it can grow at 9 pH, too, the result wouldn’t be as great as at a slightly lower pH.
When choosing potting soil for oregano, make sure that it’s slightly alkaline. Do not go for acidic potting soils as it’s not compatible with the oregano seeds.
How to Grow Oregano?
To start the oregano planting, you must have a seed or plant cutting first. Make sure to get high-quality seed or a cutting from a nearby garden. You can also buy oregano sprigs from a nearby grocery store.
Growing Oregano from Seeds/Cuttings
Oregano seeds have a dust-like structure. So it’s important to handle them with utmost care. Take a container and add sterilized seed-starting mix with water. Spread the seeds all over the soil but do not bury them.
Keep the container in a sunny and warm spot. Also, make sure to keep a distance of 10 inches between the plants.
To grow oregano from cuttings, take a two-inches long bare stem. Place the cutting into a jar that’s filled with adequate water. Make sure about half of the stem gets submerged into it. Keep the jar in a well-aerated and well-lit place.
Once the root establishes, prepare the planting pot/container with a potting mix (sand, perlite, and vermiculite) of 5-6 inches. Set the roots of the cutting into the soil and ensure that it’s firmly placed. Make sure to keep the soil moist but do not clog when it dries out.
Growing Oregano in Pots
To grow herbs in pots, take an 8-12 inches deep pot that’s usually available as medium size. Then, fill the pot with high-quality potting mix and leave 1-2 inches from the rim of the pot. The seeds will germinate within 2-3 weeks.
You can add some compost to the potting mix as it contains rich, organic nutrients with microorganisms that are useful for the growth of oregano growth. Next, add the seeds and cover them with a little bit of potting soil. Spray some water gently to keep the soil moist.
Growing Oregano Indoors and Outdoors
Oregano can be grown both indoors and outdoors. But, for its good indoor growth, you must provide the right growing conditions.
As it’s drought-resistant, you wouldn’t have to struggle much for its indoor plantation. But, keep it away from extremely dry indoor conditions that are common during winters. Provide them some humidity to balance out the same.
For outdoor oregano planting, make sure to grow them once the drought has passed. The soil temperature should be nearly 70 degrees, and the plant should be placed in full sun when growing oregano outdoors.
How to Maintain an Oregano Plant?
Oregano plant requires some maintenance and care to offer strong flavors. So, if you have an oregano plant or are planning to grow them, follow these tips and tricks to ensure it’s good maintenance:
- Water the oregano plant once or twice a week. Do not overwater, or it can cause root rot.
- Use good quality neem oil to get rid of bugs like spider mites.
- Look for signs of fungus, i.e., discoloration of leaves. If you find it, remove that part and clean it off under hot water.
- Fertilizer is not required for an oregano plant. But, you can provide it to indoor oregano during the growing season.
- Repot the plant once in two to three years.
That’s all. Hopefully, now you know everything about growing oregano.
