Growing Oregano, also Pot Marjoram

Oreganum spp : Lamiaceae / the mint family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
S S S S       S S S S S
T T T T T       T T T T
P P P P       P P P P P

(Best months for growing Oregano in Australia - sub-tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Sow in garden, or start in seed trays. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 64°F and 77°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 6 inches apart
  • Harvest in 6-8 weeks. When flowers appear.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Broccoli
  • "Pizza" oregano
  • Oregano flowering
  • Variegated Origanum

Perennial growing to around 45 cm (17") high. Cut the stems back to the ground to encourage new growth.

There are two main varieties.

"Greek Oregano" is the type normally associated with Oregano flavor.

"Common Oregano" or Marjoram has a less pungent, sweeter taste and is more commonly grown.

For best flavour harvest in the morning just after the dew has lifted.

Easily propagated from root division. It can be hard to germinate seed. Can be grown from cuttings.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Oregano

Used to flavour tomato dishes, soups, sauces and Greek dishes like moussaka.

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
05 Feb 19, Sandra (Australia - temperate climate)
Maybe a bit of a silly question- but are the western suburbs of Sydney considered temperate ? Thank you
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05 Feb 19, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
It suggests you are sub tropical - I would say probably more sub tropical than temperate. You can have very hot summers - hotter than us - sub tropical (Bundaberg).. Winters here are generally 10 - 4-5 min and 20-25 max. Work around these figures.
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23 Aug 17, Tracey Flynn (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi..I have come across a great recipe Jamie Olivers Spicy Lamb Shanks...Absolutely Yum if a meat eater....He suggests Oregano OR Marjoram. I I have used Oregano....I want to grow at my home....wondering why he chose between the 2 herbs....I googled and seems to have an Italian taste.....
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02 Sep 17, Anne-Marie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Tracey, my husband makes this yummy dish often and always uses Oregano - better flavour, more versatile and can be used in several other recipes we make, like bolognaise sause, with oven baked Mullet, chicken bone broth. We have grown oregano both in the ground and pot, morning sun and not too wet or it will die! I recently bought some in a pot and repotted it to a larger pot within 3-4 weeks... grows very quickly! We've had a very mild winter (warm days) but very cold nights.
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05 Apr 16, Carol (USA - Zone 7a climate)
?? Full sun for oregano
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08 Aug 14, Michelle (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
im am growing oregano under a box in the dark and its actually growing
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02 Jan 12, (Australia - temperate climate)
How can you tell the difference between Marjorum and Oregano? I have a ground cover type plant that produces purple flowers and I have lost the tag to what it is.
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18 Aug 09, Olivia Brown (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
thanks, twas really heplful
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03 Sep 12, George (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I had a similar problem when I bought home a seedling labeled as 'Golden Marjoram' but which looked very much like Italian Oregano. Best as I can work out Marjoram tends to have smaller lighter colored leaves, and most importantly it has a perfumy/soap aroma. Oregano tends to smell woody and much more subtle.
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14 Mar 11, jen (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
plant in full sun??
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