Oregano

7 products

We grow six varieties of oregano plants at our Gold Coast nursery, from the classic cooking oregano to Golden Oregano for ornamental use and Za'atar Oregano for Middle Eastern dishes. You will also find our certified organic dried oregano leaf here.

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Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is a hardy perennial herb from the mint family that thrives in warm, sunny conditions across most of Australia. Our range includes six organically grown varieties, each with a slightly different flavour and growth habit.

Greek Oregano (Origanum vulgare var. hirtum) is the strongest-flavoured variety and the one most often used in Mediterranean cooking. It has smaller leaves and a more intense, peppery taste than common oregano. If you are growing oregano mainly for the kitchen, this is the one to choose. Our standard Oregano is milder and makes a good edging plant or ground cover.

For something a little different, Variegated Oregano has cream and green leaves that look great in garden borders while still being useful in the kitchen. Golden Oregano adds a splash of bright yellow-green foliage and is popular in ornamental herb gardens. Hopley's Oregano produces masses of pink-purple flowers and is one of the best oregano varieties for attracting bees and butterflies.

All six oregano plants are grown organically at our nursery and shipped in 50 x 75mm tubes via Express Post to most Australian states. If you are looking for dried oregano for cooking, our Oregano Leaf is certified organic and available in multiple sizes. Browse our culinary herb plants and Mediterranean herbs collections for more kitchen garden varieties.

Browse Oregano:
    7 products
    Oregano seedling with small rounded green leaves in a black nursery tube
    Oregano growing in the garden

    Oregano
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    Culinary Favourite
    Greek Oregano with fuzzy grey-green leaves on upright stems in a black nursery tube
    Oregano plant

    Oregano - Greek Oregano
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    Oregano Golden with bright chartreuse rounded leaves on upright stems in a black nursery tube
    Oregano Golden mass of chartreuse upright stems flowering in a garden bed

    Oregano Golden
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    Variegated Oregano with cream and green marbled leaves in a black nursery tube
    Oregano - Variegated Oregano Flowers

    Oregano - Variegated Oregano
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    Oregano Leaf

    Oregano Leaf
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    Oregano Zaatar seedling with upright green stems and small leaves in a black nursery tube
    Oregano Zaatar massed fuzzy grey-green foliage close-up with soft tips

    Oregano Zaatar
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    Hopley's Oregano with glossy green and purple-tinged leaves in a black nursery tube
    Hopley's Oregano with lilac-pink flower clusters on wiry stems above small green leaves

    Oregano - Hopley's Oregano
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    About Oregano

    Oregano is one of the easiest herbs you can grow in an Australian garden. It handles heat, poor soil and dry spells without fuss, and a single plant will keep producing fresh leaves for years. Whether you want oregano plants for cooking, ground cover, or to bring bees into the garden, this collection has a variety to suit.

    Mudbrick Herb Cottage has been growing herbs on the Gold Coast for over 30 years. All our oregano plants are certified organic and shipped in 50 x 75mm tubes via Express Post. Plant orders are sent Monday and Tuesday only. Visit our shipping page for full details.

    Frequently asked questions

    Does oregano come back every year?

    Yes. Oregano is a perennial herb, so it will come back year after year in most Australian climates. It dies back a little in winter and puts on strong new growth in spring. Give it a good prune after flowering to keep it bushy and productive. In tropical and subtropical areas like the Gold Coast, oregano stays green almost year round.

    How do I grow oregano in pots?

    Oregano does really well in pots. Use a container at least 20cm wide with good drainage, fill it with a free-draining potting mix, and place it in full sun. Water when the top of the soil feels dry, but do not overwater as oregano prefers drier conditions. A pot on a sunny balcony or patio is ideal. See our herb garden guide for more tips on growing herbs in containers.

    What is the difference between oregano and Greek oregano?

    Common oregano (Origanum vulgare) has a milder flavour and is often grown as a ground cover or edging plant. Greek oregano (Origanum vulgare var. hirtum) is a subspecies with smaller leaves and a much stronger, more peppery taste. Greek oregano is the variety most commonly used in Mediterranean cooking, especially on pizza and in tomato-based sauces.

    When is the best time to plant oregano in Australia?

    Spring and early autumn are the best times to plant oregano in most parts of Australia. It likes warm soil and full sun. In subtropical and tropical areas, you can plant oregano almost any time of year. Avoid planting in the middle of winter when growth slows down.

    Can I use oregano leaves fresh or do I need to dry them?

    Both. Fresh oregano has a lighter, slightly grassy flavour that works well in salads and finishing dishes. Dried oregano has a more concentrated, earthy taste and is better for long-cooked sauces, stews and roasts. You can dry your own by hanging bunches upside down in a warm, airy spot, or use our ready-to-go certified organic dried oregano.

    Is oregano good for anything besides cooking?

    Oregano has been traditionally used in herbal medicine for centuries. It contains compounds like carvacrol and thymol that have been studied for their antioxidant properties. Fresh oregano tea, made by steeping a handful of leaves in boiling water, is a traditional remedy. The flowers also attract bees and beneficial insects, making oregano a useful companion plant in the garden. See our bee attracting plants collection for more pollinator-friendly herbs.

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