Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum Play pronunciation

Greek Oregano is a hardy, bushy, herbaceous perennial culinary herb with edible leaves in the mint family. It is a compact plant, reaching a height of 9 inches at maturity after 2 to 3 years of growth. It has upright, spreading stems clad in aromatic, dark green leaves with small clusters of white flowers that appear in terminal and axillary spikelets from mid-summer to autumn.

Greek Oregano is grown primarily for culinary use. It produces flavorful leaves with the classic aroma and hot and spicy taste expected from oregano. Those leaves are commonly marketed in dry form for spice racks. However, Greek Oregano has minimal ornamental use.

Greek Oregano does best it in full sun to partial shade, in well-drained, moist to dry, soil. It will tolerate a variety of soil types, including sandy gravel and clay. Oregano plants tolerate heat and drought.

Greek Oregano works well in border fronts or massed along slopes.  It is resistant to erosion and damage by deer. Shear plants back regularly before flowering. Clip leaves fresh as needed or keep them dried for year-round use. In general, the best leaf flavor occurs just prior to flowering.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

Root rot can occur in wet, poorly drained soils. Susceptible to fungal diseases, aphids, leaf miners, spider mites and leafhoppers.

More information on Origanum vulgare.