Common oregano can be started from seed sown indoors from February to May. Fill a small pot with seed compost and sow a few seeds on the surface. Cover with a light layer of sieved compost, water and place in a propagator to germinate. When seedlings are large enough to handle, prick three out into an 8cm (3in) pot of multi-purpose compost.
Grown for its strong tasting and pungent leaves, oregano is a perennial herb that thrives in a warm, sunny position. An important herb in Italian, Greek and Mexican cooking, oregano is often used dried rather than fresh in strongly flavoured dishes in which ingredients such as chilli, garlic, tomatoes, onions, olives and wine predominate. Leaves and flowering tops are infused for tea.
Water pots regularly, but avoid overwatering or the roots may rot. Keep plants compact by trimming growth after flowers fade in summer, then give pot-grown plants a boost by applying a liquid fertiliser.
Cut back dead stems to the base in winter. Plants do not like to be too wet in winter, so place pots in a sheltered spot and raise onto pot feet to allow excess water to drain away. For a winter supply of leaves, lift plants in autumn, pot them up and place them in a well lit spot under cover.
Grow indoors until early summer or until all danger of frost has passed, then plant in a sunny, sheltered spot in well-drained soil. Alternatively, plant into a 15cm (6in) pot filled with multi-purpose compost.
Just mind the following:
- Origanum heracleoticum (also winter marjoram). This is a popular plant in Italy
- Origanum vulgare (also wild marjoram or common oregano). This has quite large leaves. It also has a strong flavor of oregano. This is by far the most popular oregano species in Europe.
- Origanum onites (also pot marjoram). This plant has small leaves. It is also not as sweet as Origanum vulgare. This pairs so well with onion and garlic.