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Herb
Oregano
Origanum vulgare
A tough Mediterranean perennial herb that thrives in Adelaide's hot dry summers and poor soils. Its flowers draw bees and beneficial insects. Give it full sun and free drainage; rich soil and too much water make it lanky and less flavoursome.
- SunFull sun
- Spacing40 cm apart
- First pick9–13 weeks
- FrostFrost hardy
- HeatHandles heat well
When to plant where you live
Checking your area…
Add oregano to my gardenVarieties (3)
- Golden oreganoGold-leaved, low and mild; good edging and groundcover
- Greek oreganoThe strongest-flavoured culinary oregano; white flowers
- Marjoram (Origanum majorana)A sweeter close relative; less frost hardy
Neighbours
Grows well with
From seed to plate
Plant
40 cm apart. Full sun.
Water
Sparing.
Feed
None needed.
Pick, from about 9 weeks
Cut stems before flowering.
Good to know
- Harvest just before flowering for the best flavour; dry bunches in shade
- No feeding needed; lean soil gives stronger flavour
Common problems
- Root rot in heavy wet soilgrow in raised beds or pots with gritty mix
- Leggy, woody plantscut back by half after flowering; replace every few years
- Aphids or spider miteshose off; plants usually recover
If you use a garden chemical, follow the label exactly. Try organic options first, and ask the community or Plant Doctor if you're unsure.
Wildlife
Good for: bees.
Safety: ASPCA lists oregano as toxic to dogs, cats and horses; mild vomiting and diarrhoea.
Where this information comes from
- ABC Gardening Australia fact sheets (growing, low confidence)
- ABC Gardening Australia plant finder: Origanum (growing, medium confidence, checked 27 Oct 2026)
- Gardenate: Growing Oregano (comparison) (growing, medium confidence, checked 27 Oct 2026)
- Sustainable Gardening Australia: planting guides (sowing window, low confidence)
- Poisons information centre plant guidance (Australia) (toxicity, low confidence)
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control: Oregano (toxic to dogs, cats, horses; mild GI upset) (toxicity, high confidence, checked 27 Oct 2026)
Reviewed by AI cross-check (Claude), not a horticulturist on 27 Oct 2026. Version 2.