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Oregano is the common name for a perennial herbaceous plant, Origanum vulgare of the mint family (Lamiaceae). Oregano is an important culinary herb commonly used as food flavouring for its aromatic leaves. This aromatic herb is originated in the Mediterranean, north Africa, and western Asia.
Oregano Herb History
Oregano has a very long history. The oldest recorded use of an aromatic herb or, rather, spice for human health relates to the tomb of a princess unearthed in Iraq. Around the neck of this mummified princess was a sachet of wild oregano. The word oregano is actually a derivation from Greek words "Oros" meaning mounting, and "Ganos" meaning joy. Thus the word oregano means "the mountain of joy". According to Greek mythology, oregano was created by goddess Aphrodite as a symbol of happiness. For this reason, the Greek believed using oregano in marriage ceremony would provide joy and usage of oregano in funerals would convey peace to the dead. Ancient Greeks believed that oregano was a useful poison antidote and was used extensively both internally and externally as a fomentation to treat skin irritations and infections, dropsy, convulsions, and as an antidote for narcotic poisons. After the Romans conquered the Greek, the Romans inherited the use of oregano and the Romans were the ones responsible for the extensive use of oregano all over Europe and abroad. After that, with time this herb found itself a journey from the Middle East to China. The Chinese people believed it helped with fever, vomiting and upset stomach. The Roman’s next adopted oregano because they enjoyed the taste and how easy is was to cultivate. Their love of the herb helped spread its use all throughout Europe and Northern Africa. In the middle ages oregano was commonly used for medicinal purposes. They would chew the oregano leaves as a cure for many ailments such as rheumatism, toothache, indigestion, and coughing fits.
Oregano Description
Oregano is a loose, open plant growing from six inches to two feet tall with gray-green leaves. This aromatic herb is usually grown as a small evergreen subshrub in mild climates. Its compact oval leaves are arranged oppositely and are covered with glandular trichomes (plant hairs). The young stems are typically square and hairy and become woody with age. In the U.S.A, Oregano is primarily thought of as an Italian herb however, Oregano is used in Middle Eastern, Filipino, Spanish, Portuguese, and Latin American cuisines. Oregano is one of the most diverse health aides available. Researchers have uncovered numerous benefits to using oregano and extracted oil of oregano. Oregano has an aromatic, warm, and slightly bitter taste. It varies in intensity. Best quality is so strong that it almost numbs the tongue, but the cultivars adapted to colder climates have often unsatisfactory flavor. The influence of climate, season, and soil on the composition of the essential oil is greater than the difference between the various species.
Oregano Flowers
The flowers of oregano are small and borne in clusters, they range in colour from white to pink or pale purple. Its small flowers attract butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects, and its strong aroma is believed to confuse pest insects' ability to find host plants. All oregano varieties contain essential oil.
How To Grow Oregano
Where to plant oregano
As a Mediterranean plant origin, oregano needs plenty of full sun.
Watering
Water newly planted oregano regularly until they are established. This Mediterranean aromatic herb is drought tolerant once established and shouldn’t need additional watering when growing in the ground.
Mulch
In late autumn apply a thick layer of organic material, at least 5cm (2in) thick. This will provide frost protection, improve plant growth by adding nutrients or increasing organic matter content, reducing water loss from the soil, you can use well-rotted garden compost and manure, chipped bark, gravel, grit and slate chippings.
Fertilizer
Oregano grow well in poor soil and shouldn’t require feeding. However, if grown in containers may benefit from a liquid fertiliser in spring and summer, especially after flowering!
Propagating Oregano
Propagating oregano is easy and so simple and you can grow new plants from your oregano plant by any of these methods:
layering
You can simply bury low-lying stems in the ground to root. This often happens naturally, so check for rooted stems around the edge of a clump and pot up until well established.
Dividing clumps
Oregano can be divided in fall before the plant goes dormant over the winter. When your oregano plant is about 4 inches across you have the opportunity to split the plant using a hand shovel or your hands. You can simply take your hand shovel, dig out a piece and plant it somewhere else.
Propagation From Seeds
Oregano is so easy to grow from seed. You can start oregano indoors from late winter to mid-spring. Or after the last frost date of your area, you can direct sow oregano seeds in your garden. The seeds needs soil temperatures of at least 45°F for germination but 60°F is better.
You can buy oregano seeds from Here!
Propagation by Cuttings
Oregano is so easy to propagate from cuttings. Cuttings are simply healthy stems that can be harvested from a healthy mother plant and rooted in water or a soil medium. These stems will grow their own roots and eventually becomes a whole separate plants. You can use my technique on propagation rosemary in water to propagate oregano from stems in water
Weeding
Keep oregano weed-free, to reduce competition for light, and water.
Cutting Back
In early summer, clip back established oregano plants to keep them compact. This will encourage a flush of new growth.
Remove the flower stems before they start to set seed, to keep plants compact and looking their best.
Winter protection
Oregano is hardy enough to survive the winter if grown in a warm sunny spot, in a container or in free-draining soil, so don’t need protection from frost.
Caring for oregano
Oregano is relatively maintenance-free. Providing plants have the right growing conditions. Water only when the soil dries out, and prune to remove any wayward growth. Harvest regularly to maintain a compact shape and encourage new growth. As oregano naturally grows in poor soils. Fertiliser is not usually necessary. Water only when the soil has dried out. If you are growing oregano in pot or container keep it in a sunny, sheltered spot and water sparingly throughout the growing season.
Oregano plant problem
Slugs and snails may be attracted to your oregano while it is young. Lay snail and slug traps to reduce any damage.
Growing oregano from seeds
- Fill small pots with compost.
- Sow a few seeds on the surface of the compost.
- The tiny seeds need heat to germinate, so place your pots in either a heated propagator or on a warm windowsill.
- When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them on into larger pots filled with good quality multi-purpose compost.
Harvesting oregano
Harvest the leaves when you need to, you can either pinching them out with your thumb and finger or using scissors to cut a good-sized bunch.
Watch How To Harvest Oregano Video
Storing oregano
The most common way to store oregano leaves is to dry them. Harvest large bunches and bundle them together in a large paper bag, and then hang them upside down to dry. The paper bag will catch any leaves as they fall. After a week or so, shake the stems while still in the bag to release any remaining leaves. You should then be able to crumble the dried leaves into a container to use throughout winter.
The uses of oregano leaves
You can use fresh oregano leaves in tomato sauces, soups and many dishes.
Sprinkle the dried leaves on top of pizzas and can be added to tomato sauces and salads.
I hope this guide helps you learn how to grow oregano and enjoy harvesting it! Don’t hesitate to ask questions or reach out with any suggestions. So please let us know your thoughts, experiences, or questions in the comments below. If you like this, you can share with your friends!
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