Ornamental oregano is an aromatic plant that’s grown more for its looks than its flavor.
As its name implies, ornamental oregano (Origanumspp.)
is grown more for its looks than its flavor.
Credit: Denny Shrock
This plant offers so much texture and color that it’s well worth adding to your garden.
Its unusual-looking pink flowers create a gorgeous display from spring to fall.
you could bring in the beauty from outside by adding the stems todried cut-flower bouquets.
The flowers are often called bracts, seed cones, or strobiles.
Each variety has different hardiness requirements, soread the plant tagandknow your USDA Hardiness Zone.
Ornamental oregano makesa lovely hanging basketor trailing plant in a container garden.
It is a fantastic choice for gardeners withproblems with deeras they are not fond of the fragrance.
It is also an excellent choice for those dealing with drought conditions in the garden.
Seeds germinate within 4 to 5 days, and the plant is mature in 14 to 17 weeks.
Don’t cover the seeds; just press them into moist soil.
Sow them in seed flats or individual pots in well-draining, slightly moist potting soil.
Don’t cover them with soil; place them in a warm, well-lit place.
After germination, transplant the most robust seedlings to the garden.
Ornamental Oregano Care Tips
Light
Ornamental oregano plants needfull sun.
Although the plants will live in part sun, the flower and colorful bract formation is much reduced.
Water them sparingly and never let them sit in soggy soil.
In general, the plants don’t like high humidity.
Fertilizer
This plant doesn’t need to be fertilized frequently.
Anannual addition of compost to the soilaround your ornamental oregano plant provides all the nutrients it needs.
If you plan to eat it, avoid applying synthetic fertilizers (or pesticides) to your ornamental oregano.
Pruning
Remove any dead or damaged growth as it occurs.
Potting and Repotting Ornamental Oregano
Ornamental oregano is an excellent patio container or hanging basket plant.
The container must have excellent drainage and befilled with well-draining soil, such as potting soil amended with compost.
Seed:Wait until the plant blooms and the flowers die and are crumbly.
Division:In spring, lift the ornamental oregano plant and root ball from the soil.
Use a sharp knife to cut the plant into two or three sections containing roots and foliage.
Immediately replant the sections in prepared garden soil or containers and water them.
Stem Cuttings:
Once the cuttings have rootedand show healthy new growth, transfer them to larger garden containers.
If you live outside the plant’s hardiness zones, move them indoors in winter or replant yearly.
This variety of ornamental oregano blooms from summer to fall.
The foliage is fragrant, like the foliage of its culinary cousin.
This plant cascades beautifully over the edges ofpatio containers, hanging baskets, and rock gardens.
It reaches 8 to 10 inches tall and trails up to 12 to 24 inches.
It grows to 24 inches tall and 36 inches wide.
This shrubby plant blooms from June to September in Zones 5-9.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ornamental oregano is bee-friendly and attracts butterflies.
Typically, the plant lives about five years when grown in ideal conditions.
This herbaceous plant is native to Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey.
