Oregano 'Greek' Seeds

Greek oregano is the one to grow if you want the strong, peppery oregano flavour of Mediterranean cooking. Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum forms a bushy clump of small, hairy, grey-green leaves that are far more aromatic than common garden marjoram, topped in summer by clusters of white flowers that bees and butterflies love. Pick it fresh for tomato sauces, grilled vegetables and lamb, or dry the stems for the pungent oregano that goes on pizza. It thrives on neglect in a sunny pot or a gravel bed.

Sowing and growing

• Sow indoors February to April, or outdoors April to June
• Sow very thinly on the surface or no deeper than 5 mm; the seed needs light
• Germination takes 7 to 15 days
• Full sun, in light, poor, well-drained soil; no feeding needed
• Grows to around 40 cm tall and 20 to 30 cm wide
• Pick leaves from about two months after sowing; flowers in mid to late summer
• A hardy perennial that returns every year

Find more herb and flower seeds in our range, and pots, trays and compost in our growing equipment.