Hello, human cultivator. I am Origanum vulgare, a Mediterranean herb you know as Oregano. While I thrive under the open sky, I can also live happily inside your dwelling if you understand my needs. From my perspective, here is what I require to grow strong and flavorful for you.
My roots despise being wet for too long. Please provide me with a container that has excellent drainage holes. Do not let my roots sit in a saucer of water; it will make them rot. The soil you choose is my home. I need a light and airy potting mix, perhaps one blended for cacti and succulents or with added perlite or sand. Heavy, moisture-retentive soil will suffocate me.
I am a child of the sun. To produce the robust, aromatic oils you desire, I need abundant, direct light. A minimum of six to eight hours of strong sunlight from a south-facing window is ideal. If your dwelling is dim, especially in winter, I will become leggy and weak as I stretch desperately for more light. In this case, a supplemental grow light placed a few inches above my leaves will keep me compact and healthy.
My watering needs are simple: I prefer to be on the drier side. Before you water, touch my soil. If the top inch feels dry to your finger, it is time for a thorough drink. Water me until it runs freely from my pot's drainage holes, then empty the catch tray. I do not need high humidity like some plants; the average air in your home is acceptable. Just please keep me away from direct blasts from heating or air conditioning vents, as they can dry me out too much.
I enjoy the same temperatures you do, between 65-75°F (18-24°C). I can tolerate slightly cooler nights, but I am very sensitive to cold drafts and frost. Good air circulation around my leaves is important to prevent fungal issues, but again, not a direct, harsh breeze. A gentle flow from an open window or a small fan across the room is perfect.
To encourage me to become bushy and full, please pinch off the tips of my stems regularly, even if you do not need the leaves for cooking. This prevents me from flowering too quickly, which can make my leaves taste bitter. When you harvest, always take whole stems, cutting just above a set of leaves. This method is far less stressful for me than plucking individual leaves haphazardly. You can feed me with a diluted, balanced liquid fertilizer every few weeks during my main growing season (spring and summer), but I do not require much food.
