Common Oregano
The standard strong-flavoured form for cooking, with good hardiness in UK gardens.
When to plant Oregano in London
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 London · last frost ≈ 4 Apr
| Activity | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow indoors | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Sow outdoors | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Plant out | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Harvest | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 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
18 Feb to 21 MarSow seeds thinly on the surface of seed compost from 18th February to 21st March and press them in gently. Do not cover them deeply, as they need light to germinate.
02
Thin or Prick Out Seedlings
11 Mar to 25 AprWhen seedlings are large enough to handle, from 11th March to 25th April, 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
11 Apr to 25 AprFrom 11th April to 25th April, 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
25 Apr to 19 MayMove plants to their final position from 25th April to 19th May, 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
9 May to 10 Nov Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeksFrom 9th May to 10th November, 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
13 May to 10 Nov Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeksPick lightly from 13th May to 10th November 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.