Common Oregano
The standard strong-flavoured form for cooking, with good hardiness in UK gardens.
When to plant Oregano in Cambridge
Origanum vulgare
A hardy Mediterranean herb that grows best in a sunny, free-draining spot or a pot. In the UK it copes well with cold winters if the soil stays reasonably dry, and the flavour is strongest in dry weather.
45 cm · Full Sun · Low Water
Calibrated to Cambridge · last frost ≈ 7 May
| Activity | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow indoors | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Sow outdoors | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Plant out | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Harvest | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Growing guide
What to do through the growing season
Growing guide for
Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.
Best for gardeners starting a few plants at home in pots or a seed bed. It is slow from seed, so expect light picking in the first year and fuller harvests after that.
01
Sow Seeds
23 Mar to 23 AprSow seeds thinly on the surface of seed compost from 23rd March to 23rd April and press them in gently. Do not cover them deeply, as they need light to germinate.
02
Thin or Prick Out Seedlings
13 Apr to 28 MayWhen seedlings are large enough to handle, from 13th April to 28th May, thin them or prick them out into small pots. Keep them just moist and give plenty of light so they do not become leggy.
03
Harden Off
14 May to 28 MayFrom 14th May to 28th May, acclimatise plants to outdoor conditions over about 10 days. Put them out for longer each day, and protect them from cold nights and strong wind.
04
Plant Out
28 May to 21 JunMove plants to their final position from 28th May to 21st June, once the soil has warmed and all frost risk has passed. Space them apart, plant at the same depth as in the pot, and water them in thoroughly straight away.
05
Pinch and Water
11 Jun to 19 Oct Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeksFrom 11th June to 19th October, pinch out the tips regularly to keep plants compact and bushy. Water sparingly once established, only when the compost or soil has dried a little, as oregano dislikes sitting wet.
06
Harvest Leaves
15 Jun to 19 Oct Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeksPick lightly from 15th June to 19th October once plants are well rooted and growing strongly. Snip shoot tips rather than cutting into old bare stems.
Suggested varieties
Popular varieties of Oregano to consider
Aureum
A low-growing oregano with golden foliage and a milder flavour, useful in pots and edging.
Compactum
A smaller, dense form that suits containers and the front of a herb bed.
Variegatum
A variegated oregano grown more for foliage than for heavy picking, with a lighter flavour.
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Oregano guides by town
See how Oregano timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.