Greek Oregano Seeds

Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum is a Hardy Perennial (H6). It is incredibly robust and well-suited to the UK climate, forming a woody base over time and returning faithfully every spring.

The Flavour Secret: Unlike many garden plants, Oregano actually tastes better when it isn't pampered. It develops its aromatic essential oils most intensely when grown in poor soil with plenty of sunshine. Too much water or fertiliser results in lush green growth that lacks that signature spicy punch.

Bee Superstar: Listed on the RHS Plants for Pollinators list, it is one of the single most attractive herbs for bees. When in flower, the low mounds are often completely covered in honeybees and solitary bees.

Oregano seeds are tiny, almost like dust, so they require a steady hand and a warm start indoors.

How to Sow:
Sow indoors from February to May. Scatter the seeds onto the surface of moist, free-draining seed compost. Do not cover the seeds (or use only the lightest dusting of vermiculite) as they need light to trigger germination. Keep them at 15-20°C; seedlings usually appear within 7-14 days.

Where to Plant:
They demand full sun and, most importantly, sharp drainage. Oregano hates having "wet feet" during a British winter. If you have heavy clay soil, it is best grown in terracotta pots with plenty of grit added, or on a raised rockery where water can drain away quickly.

Ongoing Care:
Cut the plant back hard after flowering in late summer to maintain a neat, tight mound and prevent it from becoming leggy. Harvest leaves as needed throughout the season—remember that the flavour is at its peak just before the flowers open!

Oregano is a Mediterranean classic that loves the company of other sun-worshipping herbs and flowers from our range:

• 🧅 Chives: The Kitchen Duo. Grow these side-by-side in a window box or kitchen herb trough. The upright, grassy leaves and purple pom-pom flowers of the Chives contrast beautifully with the low, spreading mound of the Oregano.
• 💜 Lavender 'Munstead': The Scented Path. Use Oregano as a drought-tolerant "skirt" around the base of taller Lavender plants. Both share a love for dry, sunny UK spots and provide a sensory explosion when you walk past.

Sow in spring for fresh leaves all summer and aromatic dried herbs all winter.