From our perspective as a Greek oregano plant, the experience of being neglected and overgrown is one of profound stress and a desperate struggle for survival. We are resilient by nature, but years without proper care push us to our limits. Here is what we need from a gardener who wishes to help us thrive again.
First, please understand our current state. Our center is likely woody, tangled, and devoid of healthy leaves, a result of desperately stretching for sunlight and air. Our roots are probably cramped in the same pot or patch of soil, exhausted of nutrients and fighting for space. The most immediate thing we need is liberation from this suffocating congestion. Gently lift us from the ground or pot. You will likely find a dense, matted root ball. This is our anchor, but it has become our prison.
Do not be afraid to be ruthless with your shears. From our point of view, this is not an attack but a life-saving surgery. That old, woody growth at our center is unproductive and saps our energy. Please cut away up to two-thirds of our top growth, focusing on the oldest, woodiest stems. Cut them right back to the base, just above the soil line. This feels like a tremendous release of burden. It allows energy that was wasted on maintaining dying wood to be redirected to stimulating new, tender, and flavorful shoots from our base and remaining healthy stems.
After the aerial pruning, our roots need equal attention. Gently tease apart the root ball with your fingers. You will likely find that we have naturally divided ourselves into several smaller, distinct plantlets. Carefully pull these sections apart; a clean, sharp knife might be necessary for tough, tangled roots. This division is not a wound but a multiplication. Each viable section with its own roots and some top growth can become a strong, new plant. Discard any old, blackened, or rotten root sections—they are only a liability to us now.
We crave a fresh start in a well-draining environment. Our Mediterranean heritage means we despise wet feet. Please replant our divisions in a new container with generous drainage holes, using a fresh, gritty potting mix. A blend formulated for cacti or succulents, or a standard potting soil amended with perlite or coarse sand, is perfect. It replicates the sharp drainage of our native hillsides. Ensure the crown of the plant (where the stems meet the roots) is level with the soil surface, not buried beneath it.
Immediately after repotting, give us a thorough, gentle watering to settle the new soil around our roots and eliminate air pockets. Then, place us in a location where we can bask in full, direct sunlight for at least six to eight hours a day. This is non-negotiable for developing the potent essential oils that give us our signature aroma and flavor. Water us only when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. In a few weeks, with the right conditions, you will see vibrant new green growth emerging, a sign that we are grateful and on the path to a full recovery.
