Plants

oregano

Origanum vulgare L.

Family: Lamiaceae · Genus: Origanum

wild marjoram

Placenta I Ground cover No biomass production 🪓 Coppices after cutting

oregano — Thomas Dreux · CC BY · iNaturalist

Perennial Mediterranean herb (20–60 cm), small aromatic leaves. In southeastern and southern Brazilian syntropic systems used as permanent cover between vegetable beds. Attracts pollinators when flowering. Spreads via stolons.

Götsch succession

Götsch stage: Placenta I
Ecological role: Pioneer
Primary stratum: Ground cover
Strata: Ground cover, Low
Biomass class: No biomass production

Environment

Light requirement: Full sun
Water requirement: Low
Drought tolerance: High
Waterlogging tolerance: Low
Soil pH range: 6–8
Preferred soil texture: Sandy, Loamy
Hardiness zones: 5–11
Frost tolerance: -15.0 °C

Morphology

Mature height: 0.2–0.6 m
Recommended spacing: 0.3–0.5 m
Root system: Fibrous
Root depth: Shallow
Growth rate: Fast
Lifespan: 4–10 years

Biomes & climate

Atlantic Forest Suitable
Cerrado Suitable
Pampa Suitable

Köppen classes

Hot-summer Mediterranean (Csa) Suitable
Warm-summer Mediterranean (Csb) Suitable
Humid subtropical (Cfa) Suitable
Oceanic (Cfb) Suitable
Subtropical with dry winter (Cwa) Suitable
Subtropical highland (Cwb) Suitable

Where it fits in a guild

Oregano takes the Ground cover stratum in the Placenta I phase of succession — in a guild it shares the line with species from the other strata, each harvesting light at its own height, in its own time.

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🪴 Cultivation

A hardy perennial herb (zones 4–10), drought tolerant, for well-drained sandy-to-clay soils at pH ~6–8. Dislikes wet/waterlogged soils. Grows in full sun to light partial shade, with best aroma in full sun. Propagated by seed, clump division or basal cuttings.

✂️ Management & Pruning

Withstands frequent foliage cuts; cutting back after flowering stimulates compact fresh regrowth. Renew the clump by division every few years.

📅 Phenology

Flowering months: October, November, December, January, February

❓ Frequently asked questions

What spacing is recommended for oregano?

The recommended spacing for oregano is 0.3–0.5 m.

How tall does oregano grow?

At maturity, oregano reaches 0.2–0.6 m tall.

When does oregano flower?

Flowering of oregano occurs in October, November, December, January, February.

What stage and stratum does oregano occupy in a syntropic system?

In a syntropic system, oregano belongs to the placenta i stage, occupying the ground cover stratum.

Functions

Aromatic Medicinal 🍯 Melliferous 🐝 Attracts pollinators Ground cover

Propagation

Seed, Division, Cutting

Citations

Plants For A Future (PFAF) — Origanum vulgare (height_max_m, soil_texture_preference, light_need, water_need, drought_tolerance, propagation, hardiness_zone_min, hardiness_zone_max, waterlogging_tolerance)