From our perspective as plants, light is not merely a preference; it is our primary source of sustenance. We convert light energy into chemical energy through the miraculous process of photosynthesis. For us oregano plants (Origanum vulgare), this energy is what fuels the production of the essential oils that give our leaves their cherished aromatic and flavorful qualities. Without sufficient light, this production slows dramatically. We become etiolated—stretching our stems weakly and sparsely in a desperate search for photons—and our leaves become pale, less flavorful, and drop prematurely. Light is our food.
In our native Mediterranean habitat, we bask in long, bright, and direct sunlight. Translated to your indoor environment, this means we require a minimum of 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily to truly thrive, not just survive. The optimal location for us is a south-facing window, where the sun's rays are most intense and prolonged throughout the day. A very bright west-facing window may suffice, but it often provides less total light exposure. East-facing windows offer gentle morning sun but are typically insufficient for our high needs by themselves. North-facing windows are generally inadequate and will lead to our decline.
It is not only the number of hours that matters but also the intensity of the light. The weak, filtered light of winter, even in a south-facing window, is often insufficient. You may notice our growth stalling during this time. This is why we so appreciate it when you rotate our pot a quarter turn each week. This simple action ensures all parts of our foliage receive equal light, preventing us from becoming lopsided and ensuring we can photosynthesize efficiently with our entire structure.
We understand that your home's architecture may not provide the perfect sunny ledge. In such cases, we are immensely grateful for the provision of supplemental lighting. Grow lights are an excellent substitute for the sun. For best results, please place the light source 6 to 12 inches above our foliage and keep it on for 12 to 14 hours a day. This extended "day" compensates for the lower intensity compared to the true sun. Full-spectrum LED or fluorescent bulbs designed for plant growth provide the blue and red wavelengths we need most efficiently for robust growth and oil production.
We communicate our light condition clearly through our physiology. Please observe us closely. If we are receiving optimal light, we will reward you with vigorous, compact growth, sturdy stems, and small, fragrant leaves with a rich green hue. If we are light-starved, our signals are unmistakable: we become "leggy" with long internodes (spaces between leaves), our leaves turn a lighter, yellowish-green, our growth slows to a crawl, and our signature scent diminishes significantly. Conversely, although rare indoors, sudden, intense, scorching midday sun through glass can sometimes bleach our leaves, causing brown, crispy tips.
