How to grow Oregano in Australia

Where to plant

Plant oregano in a warm, sunny spot in free-draining soil. It grows well in fairly poor soil and needs little water once established; lean, dry conditions give the most aromatic leaves. In heavy or damp soil the roots rot, so use a raised bed or a pot with gritty mix. Do not let vigorous neighbours or fallen leaves smother it.

• Adelaide, Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra: oregano is an easy, long-lived perennial. It is very cold hardy; keep it out of winter wet.
• Hobart: plant in spring. It may die back in hard winters and return in spring.
• South East Queensland and the Northern Rivers: plant from autumn to spring in the sunniest, best-drained spot; summer humidity and rain can cause rot, so raised beds and pots work best.
• North Queensland and Darwin: grow it in the dry season, May to October, in a pot you can move out of the wet.

Choosing a variety

• Greek oregano (Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum) has the strongest, hot and spicy flavour and is the one to grow for cooking. Buy it as a plant, ideally after smelling the leaves.
• Common or wild oregano (Origanum vulgare) grown from seed is usually much milder, with larger leaves and pink to mauve flowers. It is a good bee plant and groundcover.
• Golden and variegated forms are attractive; some ornamental varieties are bred for looks rather than flavour.

How to plant

1. Plant a young plant at the same depth it was growing, 20 to 30 cm from its neighbours, in a sunny, well-drained spot.
2. In heavy soil, plant in a raised bed, or in a pot at least 15 to 20 cm wide with up to a quarter grit mixed into the potting mix.
3. To grow from seed, scatter it on the surface of moist seed raising mix without covering it, and keep it at about 20°C. Seedlings appear in one to three weeks; avoid overwatering, as seedlings damp off.
4. Water new plants in dry spells until established.

Watering and feeding

Once established, oregano in the ground rarely needs watering. Water potted plants in dry spells, letting the mix dry out between waterings, and never let it sit waterlogged. Slight under-watering gives the strongest flavour.

Plants in the ground need no feeding. Oregano that has been in the same pot for more than a year benefits from a light sprinkle of general fertiliser in late spring.

Pruning and care through the year

• Trim established plants in late spring to keep them compact and remove dead or straggly stems.
• Cut back flower stems once the flowers fade.
• Divide clumps every few years to refresh woody, tired plants.
• Keep plants out of winter wet; move pots into a sheltered spot out of heavy rain.

Harvesting

Snip sprigs as needed from spring to autumn and strip off the leaves. The flavour is best just before the flowers open, which is the time to cut for drying.

To dry oregano, hang small bunches in a dark, airy place for a few weeks, then strip the dried leaves and store them in an airtight jar.

Growing in pots

Oregano does very well in pots. Use one at least 15 to 20 cm wide with drainage holes, filled with a free-draining potting mix with added grit, and keep it in full sun. A pot lets you move it out of tropical wet seasons and winter rain.

Using it

Use oregano in Italian, Greek, Mexican and Middle Eastern cooking: in tomato sauces, on pizza, with lamb and roast vegetables, and in Greek salads. The leaves are used fresh or dried; oregano is widely used dried.

Propagation

Named varieties do not come true from seed, so propagate your best plant by dividing clumps in spring or after flowering, taking softwood cuttings in summer, or potting up low stems that have rooted where they touch the soil.