Origanum vulgare

Orégano (Origanum vulgare) — una hierba perenne resistente y amante del sol, con hojas cálidas y especiadas ideales para la cocina mediterránea. Tolerante a la sequía y muy apreciada por las abejas.
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Origanum vulgare — oregano

Origanum vulgare, known as oregano or wild marjoram, is the warm, peppery herb at the heart of Mediterranean cooking — a hardy, sun-loving perennial that is as ornamental and bee-friendly as it is useful in the kitchen. It is the botanical heart of our oregano range within the culinary herb collection.

History & origin

Oregano is native to the Mediterranean and the warm hills of western Asia, where it grows wild on sunny, rocky slopes. The Greeks and Romans crowned bridal couples with garlands of it as a symbol of joy, and it has flavoured the food of Greece, Italy and beyond for thousands of years — think pizza, tomato sauces and grilled meats.

Its name captures that hillside home: it comes from the Greek oros (mountain) and ganos (joy or brightness) — the “joy of the mountain,” a lovely description of this fragrant wild herb.

Botanical characteristics

Oregano forms a bushy, spreading perennial 30–60 cm tall, with small, rounded aromatic leaves and clouds of tiny pink-purple flowers in summer that bees and butterflies flock to. Its warm, peppery pungency intensifies when the leaves are dried. Tough and drought-tolerant, it sits among our perennial herbs and our drought-tolerant herbs.

Growing Origanum vulgare from seed

Oregano seed is tiny and needs light to germinate, so sow on the surface and barely press it in, keeping it warm and bright. Sow in spring in trays or directly into well-drained soil, and give plants full sun for the most intense flavour. Once established it is wonderfully tough and drought-tolerant, thriving in poor soil and pots alike. Trim after flowering to keep growth fresh and compact. Our herb growing guide and herb sowing calendar cover timing and care in full.

Ready to grow oregano? Explore the varieties or learn the basics first.

Related categories: Oregano · Culinary Herbs · Perennial Herbs · Drought-Tolerant Herbs · All Herb Seeds

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¿Qué es Origanum vulgare?
Es el nombre botánico del orégano, también llamado mejorana silvestre — una perenne mediterránea resistente con hojas cálidas, picantes y aromáticas. ¿Cómo cultivo orégano desde semilla?
La semilla es muy pequeña y necesita luz, así que siembra en superficie y presiónala apenas. Siembra en primavera en suelo bien drenado y a pleno sol. ¿Cambia el sabor al secar?
Sí. El picante cálido y aromático del orégano se intensifica al secar las hojas, que es precisamente por qué el orégano seco se usa tanto en cocina. ¿Es el orégano bueno para los polinizadores?
Sí. Sus nubes de diminutas flores rosa-moradas en verano son un imán para abejas y mariposas.