When to plant Oregano in Edinburgh

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 Edinburgh · average last frost around 4 May

Plant out May to June, harvest June to October. Typical frost risk October to May.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Plant outNoNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
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

    20 Apr to 18 May

    From 20th April to 18th 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

    18 May to 4 Jun

    Set plants in their final position from 18th May to 4th June and firm them in gently. Space them apart, then water in thoroughly straight away so the roots settle.

  3. 03

    Pinch Back New Growth

    1 Jun to 15 Nov Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 3 weeks

    From 1st June to 15th 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

    18 May to 15 Nov Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeks

    From 18th May to 15th 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

    17 Jun to 16 Oct Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeks

    Pick from 17th June to 16th 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.