Origanum vulgare /vulˈɡaːr(ə)/
Common name: Oregano · Wild marjoram
Origanum vulgare is a perennial herb in the mint family, Lamiaceae, native to the Mediterranean region and parts of Asia. Its pungent, slightly bitter leaves are essential to Italian and Greek cuisines. It is closely related to and sometimes confused with sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana).
Care summary
Sun
Full sun
Water
Low to moderate; let soil dry between waterings
Soil
Well-draining, lean to moderately fertile
Hardiness
Zones 4–8
Mature height
0.3–0.6 m (1–2 ft)
Pet safe
Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA)
Difficulty
Easy
Propagation
Propagate by stem cuttings or division. Take 8-10 cm soft tip cuttings in late spring or summer, remove the lower leaves, and root them in moist, gritty compost; established clumps can simply be dug up and split in spring or autumn. It also grows readily from seed.
Fun facts
- Oregano's flavor intensifies when the leaves are dried.
- Oregano oil contains carvacrol, a compound with strong antimicrobial activity.
- Oregano became widely popular in the United States after World War II, when returning soldiers craved Italian pizza.