When to plant oregano by city
Start oregano indoors 8–10 weeks before your last frost, plant them out up to 2 weeks after your last frost. Here is what that means for 2027 in cities across the US, using each city’s average frost dates (NOAA 1991–2020). Pick the city with the climate most like yours, or enter your ZIP code above.
| City | Last frost | Start indoors | Plant out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA (9a) | Mar 13 | Jan 2–16 | Mar 13–27 |
| Portland, OR (8b) | Feb 25 | Dec 17–31 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 |
| Sacramento, CA (9b) | Jan 12 | Nov 3–17 | Jan 12–26 |
| Phoenix, AZ (10a) | Jan 5 | Oct 27 – Nov 10 | Jan 5–19 |
| Salt Lake City, UT (7b) | Mar 31 | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Denver, CO (6a) | Apr 30 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Dallas, TX (8b) | Mar 2 | Dec 22 – Jan 5 | Mar 2–16 |
| Minneapolis, MN (5a) | Apr 23 | Feb 12–26 | Apr 23 – May 7 |
| Kansas City, MO (6b) | Apr 4 | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Apr 4–18 |
| Chicago, IL (6b) | Apr 10 | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 10–24 |
| Columbus, OH (6b) | Apr 20 | Feb 9–23 | Apr 20 – May 4 |
| Nashville, TN (7b) | Apr 1 | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Apr 1–15 |
| Atlanta, GA (8a) | Mar 24 | Jan 13–27 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 |
| Raleigh, NC (8a) | Mar 28 | Jan 17–31 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Philadelphia, PA (7b) | Mar 30 | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Boston, MA (7a) | Apr 4 | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Apr 4–18 |
In frost-free parts of Florida, southern California and the Gulf Coast, timing is about heat instead: grow oregano from fall through winter.
Oregano spacing
In a square-foot bed, plant 1 per square foot. In traditional rows, space plants about 12 inches apart with 18 inches between rows.
Perennial. Flowers are a magnet for small bees.
How to grow oregano
Oregano is a hardy, low-maintenance perennial herb that spreads slowly into a mat. Its small summer flowers are a magnet for bees. Flavor varies widely between plants, so it pays to choose the right kind.
Sun and soil
Full sun and well-drained, average to lean soil; rich soil and frequent watering dilute the flavor. Oregano tolerates a pH of roughly 6.0–8.0, heat and drought. Common oregano is hardy in zones 4–8.
Planting
- For good flavor, buy a Greek oregano plant or take cuttings from a plant you like; seed-grown common oregano is often bland.
- From seed, start indoors 8–10 weeks before the last frost. Seed is tiny and needs light, so press it onto the surface without covering.
- Transplant from the last frost date to 2 weeks after, once soil is about 60°F.
- Space plants 12 inches apart in rows 18 inches apart.
Care
- Water only when the top inch of soil is dry; established plants need little.
- Skip fertilizer in most soils.
- Shear plants back by about a third before they flower to keep leaves coming.
- Cut old stems back in early spring, and divide plants every 3–4 years when the center thins out.
Harvest
Flavor peaks just before the plants flower. Cut stems back by a third to a half, leaving several inches of growth. Use leaves fresh, or dry them in bundles out of the sun; oregano is one of the herbs that is stronger dried.
Common problems
- Root rot: Plants yellow and die back in heavy, wet soil. Plant in well-drained ground or a raised bed and water sparingly.
- Aphids and spider mites: Spray plants with water or use insecticidal soap.
- Bland flavor: Usually seed-grown common oregano. Replace it with a Greek oregano plant or cuttings from a flavorful one.
Varieties to try
- Greek oregano (Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum) — the standard strong culinary oregano
- Italian oregano (Origanum × majoricum) — milder and sweeter, less cold hardy
- 'Aureum' — golden ornamental foliage, mild flavor
Crop rotation
Oregano belong to the mint family (Lamiaceae). Mostly herbs and perennials; rotation matters little. Relatives that count as the same family for rotation: basil, mint, thyme, sage, rosemary.
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant oregano?
What grows well with oregano?
How far apart should I plant oregano?
How long do oregano take to grow?
Can oregano handle frost?
Sources
- Frost dates: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
- Hardiness zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, USDA-ARS and PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University.
- Planting windows and spacing: Vegetable Planting Guide (GardenNotes #720), Colorado State University Extension, and other land-grant extension guides.
- Origanum vulgare (oregano) — NC State Extension Plant Toolbox
- Herbs — Clemson Cooperative Extension (HGIC)