Oregano, a plant from the mint family, is a signature flavor of many Italian, Mexican, and Spanish dishes. In general, let the seeds dry on the plant as long as possible, but don’t wait until every seed on the plant is ripe or you’re likely to lose a bunch to birds or other wildlife. Place seeds on top of the soil and lightly press them into the surface. Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens), which grows in USDA zones 9 through 11, is also grown as a culinary herb. Fill a seedling flat to the rim with sterile potting soil. Although oregano is a perennial, cold-resistant aromatic plant, root protection measures are also needed for it in winter to facilitate safe overwintering. Water in well. Oregano is a hardy perennial plant that is easy to grow in the home garden. During the first few months of growth, water your plants regularly to get them started. Oregano can be propagated from seed, cuttings, or by dividing existing plants. As autumn approaches, divide some to bring inside over winter. Plant the seeds/cuttings in well-drained soil anytime after the last spring frost. Catalogs tend to offer the widest variety of oregano plants. How to Grow Oregano from seed 1. Zone: Hardy to Zone 5. Plant Spacing: 12″-15″. Frequent pinching back helps to keep plants bushy and full, and it delays flowering. Planting oregano seeds need moist soil, need little cool weather, well-drained soil and full sun, take the seeds and dig an hole of 0.5 cm, the seeds small so it’s a bit hard, cover the seeds and water the soil, keep always the soil moist. How to plant oregano To grow oregano from seed, fill small pots with peat-free seed compost and water well, allowing to drain. Oregano will germinate quickly (4-5 days) if the temperature is above 70°F. This condition, called legginess, will reduce the yield of your crop. Common oregano grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 8 and Greek oregano is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 8. Oregano Seeds. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. To direct sow, plant Origanum Vulgare Hirtum seeds and thin the seedlings to 12-15" apart. It growing oregano outdoors from seeds then it is best to sow the Oregano seeds (Sweet Marjoram and other Origanum species) in mid spring, well past any chance of a frost. Please create account through ##customer_email## email. It gives you a heads up than the seeds. Scatter oregano seeds on top of the soil and mist then with water, then cover the tray with a clear plastic lid. You could either use seeds or cuttings. Oregano will grow in a pH range between 6.0 (mildly acid) and 9.0 (strongly alkaline) with a preferred range between 6.0 and 8.0. Oregano can easily be started from seeds and cuttings from an existing plant, but it’s easiest to divide a clump from an established plant as a new start. Oregano is not a thirsty plant, and it absolutely needs well-drained soil. 3. Melon seeds, for example, are ready when the fruit is ripe for eating. When: You can grow oregano by planting from seed, by dividing, or from a cutting taken from a healthy, established plant. ", "The sowing technique is elaborate, which is important to an amateur.". Trimming also helps prevent excessive stem growth in your plant. For tips from our Professional Gardener, including how to pick and dry your oregano, keep reading! Read on to learn how to plant oregano cuttings. Plant oregano seeds in shallow depressions and cover with about 1/4 inch of soil. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 123,488 times. Oregano is a fairly hearty plant that does well in temperate and warm climates. Sowing: Do not put the oregano seeds in the ground, but lay them loose on the ground. Plant seeds outside about ¼” profound and 10-12″ separated, when risk of ice has past. Oregano is a plant that loves sunlight. Exposure: Full sun Herbs tend to grow pretty fast and you can harvest the leaves from the plant 3-4 weeks after planting the seeds. The seedlings will germinate in 10 to 21 days. When using hay, you should remove it from covering the plants after the last frost. Do not bury them in soil but distribute them evenly across the top of the soil and mist with water. The seeds will germinate in two to four weeks. It can be grown both in your home and outside, which means that no matter where you live, with a little time and care, you could be enjoying fresh oregano of your own. And the more leaves you harvest, the thicker the foliage will grow. [1] X Research source Clippings should only be taken from established plants. How To Grow Oregano The most common way to get started is with a nursery plant or the division of a clump from a friend. Don’t cover the tiny seeds – they need light to germinate, which should take about 4 days. Commercial Grower When the seedlings have 4 or 5 true leaves and all risk of frost has passed, transplant them to a … Seedlings. Blooming season is usually in early July, though this may vary depending on the region you live in. How many days can the oregano be used after it is picked? Plants usually take 5 to 10 days to sprout from the ground. First, note that oregano is a very hardy plant, so it will adapt easily to any terrain and can also be planted in... 2. For thin plants, plant 8 to 10 inches apart. Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is an easy-care herb that can be grown indoors or out in the garden.As it is native to hot, arid regions, the oregano plant is perfect for growing in areas prone to drought. Ideally the soil should be of pH 6 to 8. [1] Non-Profit. Common oregano can be started from seed sown indoors from February to May. Sow Oregano seeds early in the season, and cover lightly with soil. In simple terms, the soil should not hold water for longer duration; so any average type soil will suit the plant growth. Simply cut off a stem as needed about 2 inches above the soil level. Shipping Updates - Thanks For Understanding. After 5-10 days, you should be able to see sprouts popping up! In turn, these branches will bear more leaves, meaning more oregano for you. Authentic Greek oregano can be grown from seeds or plants. In place of hay, you can also use bed sheets, blankets, or plastic sheeting. How to Grow Oregano: You can start seeds indoors, and plant out after the average last frost date in your area. From Seed. Garden Centre/Nursery Usually seeds of a plant that is more correctly called “common marjoram” – a hardy perennial with slightly hairy leaves and pinkish flowers – are offered as “oregano”. Approved. By using our site, you agree to our. Oregano plants thrive in a location that receives full … Companion Plants: "Very helpful, because it gave me everything I wanted to know in a simple way. You'll want to plant seeds about ¼ inch (.64 cm) deep and bury clippings ½ inch (1.3 cm) deep. What is the ideal temperature to grow oregano and how long is the growing cycle? Take care to notice what plants are around the area as well, see the companion plant section below. How to Plant. When using seeds, you can generally expect that roughly ¼ of the seeds won't grow, so you may want to plant several. tall, the plants can be thinned down to about a foot apart. Plants in containers should be treated similarly to outdoor grown oregano. How to Plant Oregano Where: Oregano is one of those plants that looks beautiful planted within the landscaping or along a path. When starting oregano indoors, use a light seed starting mix that contains vermiculite. Or dig up the entire oregano plant and divide it into many more plants. Oregano plants require light chalky soil for growth. Oregano is an herb commonly used in Italian dishes. When seedlings are a few inches high and have three sets of leaves on the stem, thin so that plants … Start seeds indoors and transplant when temperatures remain above 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Oregano plants are widely available in nurseries and through specialty catalogs. Then try to evenly distribute the tiny seeds on the surface of the soil. Plants usually take between 5 - 10 days to sprout and are usually ripest in early July before it blooms. Growing oregano from cuttings is also an option, take cuttings from 3-5 inches long young stems of a healthy oregano plant. Season: Warm season The long stems look great spilling over the edges of containers and also work well as a ground cover. Grow in a sunny and warm spot. This herb also makes an exceptional companion plant for garden vegetables, repelling insect pests that commonly affect beans and broccoli.Let’s look at how to grow oregano … Cover with a light layer of sieved compost, water and place in a propagator to germinate. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Oregano is an herb commonly used in Italian and Spanish cuisines. Aim for 25cm (10″) between plants. It does well with an annual application of two inches of compost. Bury seeds ¼ inch deep and clippings ½ inch deep, and water your plants regularly to get them started. Oregano can be grown from seeds or clippings, so if you already have some oregano plants, you may want to use clippings instead of buying new seeds. Mexican Oregano is not truly like other oregano. … Starting The germination process takes approximately four days. As you trim, you can use the fresh oregano in a recipe, or dry it to use later on. hirtum) produces highly aromatic perennial foliage. Andrew Carberry has been working in food systems since 2008. Sow a few seeds on the surface of the compost. University/College To plant oregano seeds, simply broadcast them upon the soil. Once sown the seeds should be lightly covered with soil. Elementary/High School Keep the soil moist. Where you trim your plant, you should notice it branch at that point when it continues growing. Mature Size Up to 2 ft. tall and 2 ft. wide. As seedlings grow, keep soil on the dry side. Lebanese and Mexican oregano grows large so plant bushes 3 feet apart to give them room to develop a good shape. -Select an option- It is easy to grow, and propagating oregano from cuttings couldn’t be simpler. Use bottom heat to achieve a constant soil temperature of 15°C (60°F) for best results. He has a Masters in Public Health Nutrition and Public Health Planning and Administration from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. As seedlings grow, keep soil on the dry side. Plant them in places where ample sunlight is available. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Try not to bundle the oregano together too densely. Place your pots in a solid tray and water from the bottom. Start indoors in plug trays from February to April. These plants only need proper water and sunlight for growth. Fill a small pot with seed compost and sow a few seeds on the surface. Or, directly sow Oregano seeds into your garden in the spring. Oregano seeds are planted 1/4 inch deep, 1 per square, in the full sun. Start oregano seeds inside around a month and a half before the last ice date. Tap the seeds gently into the mix and cover lightly. When planting oregano from seed, 25 % or more of the seeds will never germinate, so use a little more. Place seeds on top of the soil and lightly press them into the surface. There are many garden tools you might use to assist in your weeding endeavors. You should plant your oregano somewhere it receives bright, direct sunshine. Oregano can easily be started from seeds, though you can also use cuttings from an established plant. Direct sunlight can sometimes cause moisture to build up in the bag, which could cause mold to grow and ruin your dried oregano. Family: Lamiaceae, Season & Zone Purchase the Right Seed. Plant Care: How to Grow Cuban Oregano. While seeds would make you experience the whole process from seeding, cutting would be more convenient. Direct sow outdoors when daytime temperatures hit 70°F. To grow oregano from seed, sow oregano seeds in early spring before the last frost. As seedlings grow, keep soil on the dry side. Water the soil until it's evenly moist and allow the excess water to drain for 30 minutes before sowing. Offer partial shade if growing in warm climates. Farmer Oregano seeds are dust-like, so handle them with care. Plant seeds outside about ¼” profound and 10-12″ separated, when risk of ice has past. Propagation Cut back the year’s growth for the rest of your oregano to about 6cm (2½”) from the soil. You can dig a clump out with a soil knife, and it will easily transplant into its new home. Naturally Grown Plants. You can view your wishlist by creating or login account. The seeds need heat to germinate, so place pots in either … They’ll also grow from cuttings if that’s your thing but it takes longer for a decent sized plant to develop. You should avoid attempting to use seeds that have been stored long periods of time. Oregano develops well from transfers or cuttings from other oregano plants. Keep the soil moist. Oregano is a hardy plant that will thrive down to 50˚F and up to 80˚F or higher. Pinch or harvest from the plants frequently to keep them bushy. Then try to evenly distribute the tiny seeds on the surface of the soil. Follow the handy How to Grow Oregano from seeds Guide below and grow some great flavour. Then try to evenly distribute the tiny seeds on the surface of the soil. Planting and Caring for Your Oregano 1. Growing Space seedlings or thin plants to 12" apart, in rows 18 inches apart. Press the seeds slowly to the soil, but do not cover them since they need light to germinate. Sowing oregano seeds Cucumber and squash seeds should be left on the plant until after the first frost. Oregano seeds are tiny, patter them on seed pot and cover with a thin layer of soil. To plant: Plant seeds indoor before the last frost date, as early as February. Oregano will sprout in approximately 7-14 days. Planting oregano from seeds means sowing the source from the first step and waiting for a couple of times to germinate. It’s an easy method! When growing in a container, use one that is a minimum of 12 inches in diameter. After the oregano seedlings hit the six in tall mark, thin them out and plant at the recommended distance apart in a sunny spot. When using seeds, you can generally expect that roughly ¼ of the seeds won't grow, so you may want to plant several. This way your plant has adequate room to grow. unlocking this expert answer. Combine potting soil with organic matter such as compost, and use it to fill a seed starting tray.