Don’t be intimidated by the idea of propagating your own oregano! Honestly, it’s one of the most rewarding herbs to work with because it’s almost impossible to mess up. No matter which method you choose, oregano is incredibly eager to grow. The only real “secret” is getting the timing right.
Choosing Your Starting Material
If you’re looking to expand your herb garden, you’ve got three great options for starting new plants:
- Seeds
- Cuttings
- Dividing established plants
Quick Tip:
Always pick your healthiest, most vibrant “mother plants” to propagate from. Starting with strong genetics gives your new herb babies the best chance to thrive!
How to Grow Oregano from Seed
After sowing, oregano seeds need a cozy temperature of at least 68°F (20°C) to germinate. Because of this, you shouldn’t sow them directly in the garden until mid-May. To give your herbs a head start, I recommend starting them indoors in a bright, warm room as early as February.
- Fill a seed tray with high-quality seed-starting mix and moisten it slightly.
- Scatter the seeds evenly across the surface and press them down gently. Don’t cover them with soil! Oregano seeds need light to germinate.
- Cover the tray with a clear plastic bag or dome to keep humidity in, but make sure to vent it daily for some fresh air.
- Place the tray in a bright, warm spot and keep the soil consistently moist.
- You should see sprouts in about 14 to 28 days. Once they’ve grown two sets of “true leaves” (the leaves that appear after the initial seed leaves), it’s time to prick them out and move them into individual pots.
- Once the danger of frost has passed, you can transplant your sturdy young plants into the garden or a large container for your balcony.
Turning Cuttings into New Plants
- Fill small pots (make sure they have drainage holes!) with seed-starting soil.
- Using sharp garden shears, snip off a few healthy stems about 6 inches long.
- Strip off the leaves from the bottom half of the stems.
- Poke the stems directly into the soil. (Pro tip: You can also let them root in a glass of water first if you prefer).
- Once the cuttings have established a good root system after a few weeks, they’re ready to go outside. You can plant them in the ground or keep your oregano in a large pot.
One Becomes Two: Dividing Your Oregano
Dividing is a fantastic “two-for-one” deal: it rejuvenates an older, woody plant while giving you a brand-new one for free. It’s best to dig up the plant in early spring when it’s easier to handle. If the root ball is a bit wild, feel free to trim it back a little. Give each new section a sunny home, water them well, and let them settle in for at least three months before you start harvesting.
