Perfect for rock gardens and regions with well-drained soil and winters on the dry side, ornamental oregano is an attractive flowering perennial that’s easy to grow.
Does oregano plant come back every year?
A majority of herbs are perennials throughout most of the United States. That means they come back year after year and usually get bigger or spread in territory each year. Some of our most-used cooking herbs are perennials, including sage, oregano and thyme.
How do you propagate ornamental oregano?
Cut back old flowering stems in early spring to keep the planting tidy and to induce the growth of new leaves. Propagate by division in spring, or by basal cuttings in late spring.
Can you cook with ornamental oregano?
This lovely plant is considered a perennial herb, but not really the culinary type of oregano. Greek oregano is the best culinary variety. Ornamental oregano can safely be used for cooking, just having a much milder flavor.
Is ornamental oregano an indoor plant?
Ornamental oregano is a perennial and will create a larger colony over time. In cooler regions, grow your oregano in a container and move it indoors when freezes are expected. Container plants benefit from some liquid fertilizer in spring but outdoor plants are generally fine with just a top dressing of compost.
Can oregano plants survive the winter?
Mint, oregano, and thyme will survive winter, but if you bring them inside in pots you can enjoy fresh herbs for cooking with all winter long.
Which oregano is perennial?
Italian oregano also is a fragrant and attractive plant in the garden or containers. It thrives as a perennial herb in zones 5 through 10, so you can enjoy fresh leaves year after year.
Can you overwinter ornamental oregano?
Oregano, rosemary, lemon verbena, thyme, and sage can all overwinter outdoors and will benefit from a good prune in the fall. Trim away the uppermost leaves and any dead flower heads, and prune back all dead wood on the plant.
How big does ornamental oregano get?
Height and Spread: Origanum ‘Hopleys’ grows up to 30 inches high and wide. Origanum ‘Kent Beauty’ has a prostrate habit to 10 inches high and 12 inches wide.
Can you divide ornamental oregano?
Cut back old flowering stems in early spring to keep the planting tidy and to induce the growth of new leaves. Propagate by division in spring, or by basal cuttings in late spring.
Why is my ornamental oregano dying?
The reasons for oregano dying are because the soil is too damp due to over watering or slow draining soil, a lack of sun, because of too much nitrogen in the soil or because your pot or container is too small for growing oregano.
What happens if you let oregano flower?
Oregano plants produce an abundance of flowers so they look great in the garden when they’re blooming. What is this? Allowing the plants to bloom means that you’ll attract lots of bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects to your herb garden and these insects will pollinate other plants in your garden as well.
Can you dry ornamental oregano?
All of these oregano flowers are excellent for drying. They bloom for a long time in summer and can be cut at will. The tiny individual flowers are delicate, so be gentle when you cut and bunch.
How long do oregano plants live?
Old woody branches that become leggy (more stem than leaf) should be cut out at the end of winter, and plants should be replaced every five years to prevent legginess. The lifespan of oregano is about five or six years, and usually, one harvest is done in the first year and two in the following years.
How do you overwinter potted oregano?
Grow herbs such as rosemary, sage, parsley, thyme and oregano under a fluorescent plant light. These herbs hold their foliage through winter and will gradually adjust to reduced light indoors. Expect some of the older leaves to wither, and clip them off to keep the plants looking neat.
How do you overwinter oregano plants?
Dig deep beneath the plant and pot it in a container with a lot of depth, about ten inches. Mint, thyme, and oregano are easy to dig out of the ground and take well to growing indoors.
Should you cut back oregano for winter?
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.
Can I leave oregano outside in winter?
Cold-hardy herbs, such as chives, mint, oregano, parsley, sage and thyme, can often survive cold-winter temperatures while continuing to produce flavorful foliage, as long as they are provided with some protection or grown indoors.
What is the coldest temperature oregano can tolerate?
Herb Temperature Tolerance – Are Your Herbs Cold Tolerant?
| Herb | Ideal Temperature Range |
|---|---|
| Oregano | 55-70°F (18-21°C) |
| Rosemary | 55-70°F (13-21°C) |
| Sage | 70-85°F (21-29°C) |
| Thyme | 60-75°F (15-24°C) |
Should I cut back oregano after flowering?
Oregano grows fast & benefits from a mid-season pruning right after flowering. That’ll stimulate even more of that tasty new growth. This is how the oregano looked before pruning – dense as can be with straggly stems way underneath.
Which herbs come back every year?
These are the best perennial herbs that will return every year:
- Sage. Lynne BrotchieGetty Images.
- Thyme. Francois De HeelGetty Images.
- Chives. Neil HolmesGetty Images.
- Sorrel. Carl PendleGetty Images.
- Oregano. Westend61Getty Images.
- Mint. James A.
- Lavender. Lynne BrotchieGetty Images.
- Roman Chamomile. NataliaBulatovaGetty Images.