Oregano is a wonderful herb, that is easy to grow in the dry air of the Southwest. The herb itself has many uses: culinary, medicinal, ornamental, in dying, and a just a flat out aesthetic plant in the garden.

Oregano is One of My “Herculean Herbs”

From the arid mountains of the eastern Mediterranean, including present day Greece and Turkey, oregano grows well here in the Southwest. This is one of the plants featured in my class on Herculean Herbs. It comes from the lands of Hercules, plus it is really tough and can withstand much gardener neglect. It has the added bonus of being rabbit and javelina proof, even straight out of the nursery.  More on wildlife resistant plants.

I shall be re-offering the Herculean Herbs class again soon. Please sign up for my Substack newsletter, and you will be notified when it goes live again. If you are thrifty, I generally offer a discount coupon to my newsletter subscribers. 

Which Oregano to Grow?

Oregano comes in many species, subspecies, and varieties. Roughly 50 at last count.

For the best type able to grow here in the Southwest, I like the “Greek oregano,” Origanum vulgare subspecies hirtum.   That last word, hirtum, refers to hairyness. The small silvery hairs will help reflect our bright sunlight. Bonus to hairyness is that it also helps the plant withstand the winter cold that we often have in places like Las Vegas, Nevada, and Bisbee, Arizona, not to mention most of New Mexico!

The name vulgare doesn’t mean it is vulgar, just that it is commonly found in fields and open areas. More about Botanical Latin.

Since many nurseries do not label with correct scientific names, look at the leaves.    The one you want will have smallish leaves with silvery hairs on them.    When you rub a leaf between your fingers, it should release a strong fragrance of oregano.

Avoid the oreganos that are mildly scented, musky scented, or have larger, not very hairy leaves.    Indeed, you may run across marjoram (Origanum majorana) or even Italian oregano (Origanum X majoricum).    These have their place in the kitchen and in the garden, but don’t plant them next to Greek oregano.    The more vigorous Greek oregano will over run the other species.

Growing Oregano

Oregano is translated from the Greek as joy of the mountain. (oros = mountain, ganos = joy) so picture rocky Greek mountains of Hercules legends as you plant your oregano.    Rocky or sandy soil (not clay) works well.  Yes, even caliche soil, just not clay.   Avoid rich garden soil for best flavor.

As for light needs, full sun to some afternoon shade in summer is good for healthy plants.

Oregano makes a pleasing landscape plant.    The leaves are a dusky lime green, not the bright green of a lawn, and not the needle blue-green of rosemary.   It can form a lovely low mounding landscape plant with a little added water.  Flowers attract butterflies.  

Oregano is in the mint family, and like so many in that family, you need to be careful to not over-water oregano because it will spread like mint.   At my old house I planted it by a flagstone walkway. When it got too rampant, it got walked on and kept in line.  It also smelled really good coming home.

Not over-water – but some water! I water my established plants once a week in summer.

Folk Uses of Oregano

I can get heavily fined for calling this plant medicinal. But I can say that the folk uses of oregano in the past have included a vast variety of uses. Besides its culinary uses, oregano has traditionally been as an antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic.    The oil of oregano is reported to destroy organisms that contribute to skin infections and digestive problems. In moderate doses it is said to strengthen the immune system, increase joint and muscle flexibility, and to improve respiratory health.

The medicinal properties or oregano are said to be from high concentrations of thymol and carvacrol.    Caution is needed since carvacrol appears to reduce the body’s ability to absorb iron.    Moderation is, as always, important.

Harvest

Like many culinary herbs, the best time to harvest oregano is just before it blooms.    Many herbs increase their production of essential oils as they go into bloom since it is a time when they really need to protect themselves from predation (munching bugs).

When you first start growing oregano, harvest may mean pinching a few stalks back with your fingers.    Once your patch gets larger, trim it with strong kitchen scissors to about two inches high, so it forms a low mat of leaves.    Don’t worry, it will get tall again.

Dry oregano like all herbs, out of direct sunlight.    I spread the cut stems on top of folded paper bags placed on top of the bookshelves.    A ceiling fan running during the day helps dry them quickly.    The quicker the drying, the less breakdown of leaf material there is, and thus the sweeter the flavor and less bitter the background notes.

Live Green

Growing your own oregano reduces the demand for commercially produced product, reducing your carbon footprint while you get the freshest, most delightfully flavored oregano you can get.

Plus dried, or even some fresh oregano makes a lovely gift from the garden.    We dry lots of oregano every year and give it as gifts in recycled decorative jars.    Friends quickly use it up and clamor for more.

Thanks for your time today.  I appreciate it.

Happy Gardening!

Jacqueline

Oregano is one of Father Kino’s Herbs

Only a few copies of this out-of-print, and award winning Southwestern book are still available. Father Kino’s Herbs: Growing and Using Them Today  

The review says:

“Award-winning garden writer Dr. Jacqueline A. Soule has pulled together a fascinating book on the life of Father Eusebio Francisco Kino and some of the plants that he brought to Southern Arizona and northwestern Sonora, and area called the Pimeria Alta.”

This link is to my book sales site. The profits from the sale go to the local Horticulture Therapy non-profit Tierra del Sol Institute.  I hope you will help support this great Southwest non-profit!

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Disclaimer

The authors of this website have researched the edibility of the materials we discuss, however, humans vary in their ability to tolerate different foods, drinks, and herbs. Individuals consuming flowers, plants, animals or derivatives mentioned in this blog do so entirely at their own risk. The authors on this site cannot be held responsible for any adverse reaction. In case of doubt please consult your medical practitioner.