Greek

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Greek to a garden.

Fragrant as a sun-warmed hillside, Greek oregano releases a bright, resinous aroma with a peppery, gently minty bite.

The foliage forms dense, upright mounds of small, velvety leaves that dry beautifully and hold their character, making it a standout for seasoning blends and herb-forward sauces. Grow Greek for a reliable, aromatic garden staple—an easy-to-love plant that brings bold flavor to every harvest.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Upright

Location not set yet

Enter your ZIP for local crop dates

Greek Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	May 4th	Jun 1st	Jul 31st – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 27th	May 25th	Jul 24th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 14th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 14th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 21st	May 19th	Jul 18th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 14th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 15th	May 13th	Jul 12th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 10th	May 8th	Jul 7th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 6th	May 4th	Jul 3rd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 3rd	May 1st	Jun 30th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 28th	Apr 25th	Jun 24th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 23rd	Apr 20th	Jun 19th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 13th	Apr 10th	Jun 9th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 4th	Apr 1st	May 31st – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 23rd	Mar 23rd	May 22nd – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 6th	Mar 6th	May 5th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 12th	Feb 9th	Apr 10th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Greek oregano’s resinous, peppery-minty kick clings to fat, so it blooms best in olive oil and emulsions. Its small velvety leaves dry down clean and keep their attitude, letting you season slow-cooked food without turning bitter or flat.

Best Uses

stir into olive-oil dressings and yogurt sauces (finishes with a fragrant punch)
dry and crumble into spice mixes for long-cooked stews and roasted meats
steep into vinegar or brine for quick-pickling and sharp marinades
fold into herb-forward sauces like chimichurri-adjacent versions for a gritty, aromatic lift

Flavor Profile

bright, resinous aroma peppery bite with a gently minty edge small, velvety leaves that read herbaceous on the palate

Kitchen Pairings

olive oil lemon garlic oregano-friendly feta lamb chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common pest or disease on Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum (Greek oregano), and how do I treat it?

Greek oregano (Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum) is especially prone to root rot and crown issues when soil stays wet, often showing up as wilting or blackened stems at the base. Water only when the top 1–2 cm of soil is dry, plant in well-draining soil, and remove any plants with obvious crown/root collapse. If you spot leaf spots plus damp conditions, improve airflow by thinning and avoid overhead watering; in severe cases, replace affected plants to prevent spread.

How often should I water Greek oregano during the main growing phase?

During active growth, water deeply but infrequently—typically when the top 1–2 cm of soil dry out, which is often about once or twice per week depending on heat and soil. Aim for evenly moist conditions only in the first establishment weeks; once established, keep it on the drier side because oregano (Lamiaceae) tolerates drought better than soggy soil. Reduce watering noticeably as days shorten near maturity to prevent rot.

How can I tell when Greek oregano is ready to harvest (about 60 days)?

Harvest when plants are well-established and the shoots have reached vigorous growth—usually around 60 days from sowing—with stems firm and leaves fully formed. Snip just above a leaf pair to encourage branching, and avoid cutting into old, woody stems. If flowers start to form, you can still harvest, but flavor is usually best right before flowering when the foliage is most aromatic.