When to plant Oregano in Cardiff

Origanum vulgare

Oregano
Oregano · 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

Add to garden

Calibrated to Cardiff · last frost ≈ 22 Apr

Plant out May, harvest June to October. Frost risk October to April.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Plant outNoNoNoNoYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesNoNo

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Growing guide for

Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.

This is the easiest way to grow oregano for most UK gardens. Plant from bought plugs or divisions and you can start light picking much sooner than from seed.

  1. 01

    Prepare the Site

    8 Apr to 6 May

    From 8th April to 6th May, choose a sunny, free-draining spot or a pot with gritty compost. Clear weeds and work in a little horticultural grit if the soil tends to stay wet.

  2. 02

    Plant Out

    6 May to 23 May

    Set plants in their final position from 6th May to 23rd May and firm them in gently. Space them apart, then water in thoroughly straight away so the roots settle.

  3. 03

    Pinch Back New Growth

    20 May to 27 Nov Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 3 weeks

    From 20th May to 27th November, pinch out the growing tips to make the plant branch and stay compact. If flowers start to form, remove the tips early so the plant puts its energy into leafy growth.

  4. 04

    Water Sparingly

    6 May to 27 Nov Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeks

    From 6th May to 27th November, water only when the top of the soil has dried out. Container plants need checking more often, but they still prefer a lighter touch than most herbs.

  5. 05

    Harvest Leaves

    5 Jun to 28 Oct Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeks

    Pick from 5th June to 28th October by snipping the top few centimetres of each shoot. Regular picking keeps plants compact and productive.

Suggested varieties

Popular varieties of Oregano to consider

Common Oregano

The standard strong-flavoured form for cooking, with good hardiness in UK gardens.

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.

Oregano guides by town

See how Oregano timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.