Horticultural Planning Records Est. data · NOAA 1991–2020 · USDA 2023

Herb · Lamiaceae

How to Grow Greek Oregano

Warm season Half-hardy Full sun
Days to maturity 80–90
Spacing 10"
Plants / sq ft 1.2
Season Warm

Planting Greek Oregano

Greek Oregano is a warm season herb in the Lamiaceae family. Getting the timing right is the difference between a strong stand and a disappointing one, so the windows below are given relative to your own last spring frost and first fall frost rather than a generic calendar date. Look up your local frost dates and count back or forward from there.

Greek Oregano is started indoors 6–8 weeks before your last spring frost date, giving seedlings a head start before they move outside.

Transplant young plants outdoors 0–2 weeks after your last frost, once the danger of frost has passed.

Greek Oregano can be grown by starting indoors and transplanting. Starting indoors gives the longest, most controlled season, while direct sowing is simplest where the season is long enough.

Spacing and Planting Depth

Give Greek Oregano room to mature. The figures below come from verified extension and seed-supplier data for typical varieties.

Spacing in row10 inches
Row spacing12 inches
Plants per sq ft1.2
Planting depth0.125 inches
Sun requirementFull sun

Days to Maturity

Greek Oregano reaches maturity in 80–90 days from transplant.

Greek Oregano is ready to harvest after about 85 days. Harvest before the first fall frost, which will end the plant's productive season.

Conditions and Care

As a warm-season herb, Greek Oregano needs warm soil and settled weather to thrive, and is set back or killed by frost. It is half-hardy — it withstands light frost but should be protected from a hard freeze.

Greek Oregano needs full sun — give it at least six hours of direct light a day for the best growth and flavor. Sow seed about 0.125 inches deep — small seed is sown shallow and barely covered, then keep the soil evenly moist until seedlings establish.

Greek Oregano belongs to the Lamiaceae family; rotating where you grow members of this family each year helps limit the build-up of soil-borne pests and disease. Greek Oregano is generally grown as a single planting each season rather than succession sown.

Companion Plants

Pairing Greek Oregano with the right neighbors can improve growth and deter pests; a few combinations are best avoided.

Grows well with: Tomato, Pepper (Bell), Basil

Growing Notes

Perennial; most pungent oregano type.

Plan your Greek Oregano schedule

Greek Oregano is typically grown as a single planting per season rather than succession sown. Plan your full garden →

Data sources
  • Johnny's Selected Seeds