Herbaceous layer · Perennial culinary herb
Oregano
Origanum vulgare
A drought-tolerant Mediterranean culinary herb for sunny dry edges. Useful living mulch and insectary in free-draining food forest margins.
Also known as: Oregano
Layer
Herbaceous layer
Climate
Warm temperate, Temperate
Sun
Full sun.
Water
Low once established; overwatering reduces flavour and can rot crowns.
Soil
Free-draining; tolerates poorer dry soils.
Size
0.3–0.6 m H · Spreading 0.5–1 m W
Growth
Moderate
Frost
Moderately frost hardy; may die back in hard freezes.
Edible uses
Leaves, Flowers
Harvest window
Spring through autumn
Ecological functions
Insectary · Dry-edge ground cover · Aromatic diversity
Wildlife value
Pollinator forage
Human uses
Culinary herb · Drying
Propagation
Cuttings, division or seed.
Maintenance
Trim after flowering; avoid wet shade; renew woody centres.
NZ growing notes
Thrives on sunny dry banks and olive/feijoa edges. Struggles in cold wet shade.
In the food forest
Oregano belongs on sunny dry herbaceous edges with olive, feijoa and yarrow. It covers soil without demanding fertility.
Establishment
Plant in spring into free-draining soil. Water lightly to establish, then ease off. Trim for kitchen use and to keep plants bushy.
NZ honesty
Honest on dry sunny sites nationwide in temperate zones. Wet clay shade is a poor match.
Suitable NZ regions
Companion plants
References
- NZ Mediterranean herb gardening — Drainage and sun are non-negotiable.