From my perspective, as a Greek Oregano plant, sunlight is my lifeblood. I am a Mediterranean native, and I thrive under the generous warmth of the sun. To produce the potent, aromatic oils that you humans love so much, I require a minimum of six to eight hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day. The more sun I receive, the more concentrated my flavor becomes. If you place me in a spot with too much shade, I will become leggy as I stretch weakly towards the light, and my leaves will be sparse and lackluster in flavor. A sunny windowsill, a south-facing garden bed, or a bright patio is my idea of paradise.
Please, pay close attention to my roots. They despise being wet and cold. My most fundamental need is for soil that drains exceptionally well. Heavy, waterlogged clay soil will cause my roots to rot, and I will quickly perish. I prefer a lean, slightly sandy, and rocky soil that mimics the harsh, well-draining hillsides of my homeland. A great mix for me would be a standard potting soil amended generously with sand, perlite, or small gravel. The pH of the soil is also important; I favor a neutral to slightly alkaline environment. Most importantly, ensure my pot has ample drainage holes so any excess water can escape freely after watering.
My relationship with water is simple: I prefer to be on the drier side. Think of the infrequent but heavy rains of the Mediterranean. The best way to care for me is to practice the "soak and dry" method. Push your finger into the soil about an inch deep. If it feels dry, it is time to give me a thorough, deep watering, ensuring water flows out of the drainage holes. Then, allow the soil to dry out almost completely before watering me again. I am incredibly drought-tolerant once established and would much rather you underwater me than overwater me. Soggy soil is a death sentence for me.
Pruning is not a punishment for me; it is an encouragement to grow fuller and more vigorous. The best time to harvest my leaves is just before I flower, as that is when my oil concentration is at its peak. Do not be timid—use clean, sharp scissors to trim my stems back, taking up to a third of my growth at a time. Always make your cuts just above a set of leaves; this will prompt me to bush out from that point instead of becoming woody and sparse. Regularly harvesting my leaves throughout the growing season is the best form of pruning and will keep me productive and healthy.
As the days shorten and temperatures drop, I begin to prepare for my dormant period. I am a perennial herb, which means my life cycle spans multiple years, but I need to conserve energy during the cold months. My top growth will likely die back, which is a natural and expected process. If I am planted in the ground in a cold climate, a layer of mulch over my root zone will protect me from freezing temperatures. If I am in a container, please bring me indoors to a cool, bright spot like a sunny garage or a cool windowsill. Water me very sparingly during this time, just enough to prevent my roots from completely desiccating. I will reward your care by bursting back to life with the warmth of spring.
