USDA Zones: 5 - 9
Light: sun
Height:  1 to 2 feet
Width:  1 to 2 feet

Special Features:
Attracts Butterflies
Deer Resistant
Drying
Easy to Grow
Fragrant
Tolerates Drought

Companion Plants
Tarragon

A staple of Italian, Greek, and many other cuisines, oregano is essential for many tomato sauces, soups and stews, and lamb dishes.

It's ideal for the sunny herb garden, but its tiny pink or lavender flowers and pleasant spreading habit make it a suitable addition for the flower bed or border, too. And butterflies and beneficial bees love it.

Just be sure to get good Greek oregano (Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum) by buying it from a quality nursery that will be careful about accurate labeling. Common oregano (simply Origanum vulgare) has far inferior flavor. You can also test it by simply crushing a leaf. The scent should be like a nice pungent spaghetti sauce.

Care
Likes good drainage and does best in hot, dry conditions. If the soil is too rich or conditions are too moist, the flavor isn't as good and the plant is more prone to diseases. Do not fertilize. After flowering, cut back plant by one-half to two-thirds to control growth and prevent reseeding, which can be pesky where conditions are good.

Planting
Plant container-grown plants in spring, spacing 24 inches apart.

Pests and Diseases
Root rot may set in if soil is too wet.