409 · Oregano, True Greek

About this plant

The most pungent, peppery oregano, with fuzzy gray-green leaves and a sharp, resinous bite that intensifies when dried. Use it on grilled lamb, in Greek salad dressing, and on roasted potatoes, and add it early since it stands up to cooking. A tough, drought-tolerant perennial that actually gets more flavorful in hot sun and lean, well-drained soil.

Planting it at home

When to plant out

Wait until after our last frost (about mid-February) and warm soil — usually March. Until then keep the pot in a sunny, sheltered spot and bring it in on cold nights.

Where

Raised bed, Xeriscape — loves full sun, heat, dry well-drained soil

Spacing

12"

Size

12–18"

Care

Sun

Full sun (6–8 h)

Water

Moderate; let topsoil dry

Feed

Light feeding only; too much fertilizer weakens the flavor (general guide).

Good to know

Grown from

Seed — sown by FHCG volunteers

Uses

Lamb, Greek dressing, potatoes

Harvest

Snip sprigs

Life cycle

Perennial

Heirloom or hybrid

Heirloom — saved seeds grow true

Pollinators

High — flowers attract bees

Heat (our summer)

Moderate–High