When to plant Oregano in the UK

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
Plant out May to June, harvest June to October.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Plant outNoNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesNoNo

UK averages · set your town for dates worked out from your local frost records · how dates are worked out

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Dates for your town

Set your town to see planting windows worked out from local frost history, not a generic UK calendar.

Growing guide for the UK

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

    mid-April to mid-May UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    From mid-April to mid-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

    mid-May to early June UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Set plants in their final position from mid-May to early 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

    late May to late November UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 3 weeks

    From late May to late 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

    mid-May to late November UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeks

    From mid-May to late 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

    mid-June to late October UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeks

    Pick from mid-June to late 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.