Among the many noteworthy species and cultivars in theOriganumgenus , I credit a ‘ Hot and Spicy ’ oregano plant with kick - jump my home base preparation regime 10 twelvemonth ago .
We link to vendors to assist you find relevant products . If you buy from one of our links , we may take in a committee .
When I buy this variety from a marketer at our local farmers market place , I ’d been sinking into one of those lackluster periods where I seemed to subsist mostly on take - out .
At random , I added several fore - Charles Frederick Worth of its tender leaves to a slow cooker stew recipe , and the result was fragrant and fulfil without being overpowering .
Wow ! From there , I seemed to have a new reason to cook at family at least once a 24-hour interval .
All these formula featured leaf and stems from my fast - grow flora , from quiche and petite marmite to dips and spaghetti sauces .
Before I realized it , oregano had lifted that months - long climate , and I was back in the kitchen and eating well .
Are you in the mood for a exchangeable lift from an herbaceous perennial ? Along with ‘ Hot and Spicy , ’ other plants in this genus of about 20 species have much to offer .
Their attribute include flavorful leaves , drought and insensate tolerance , an power to draw pollinators , and a wise scent from abundant bantam bloom .
Many types , like Greek oregano or unwarranted za’atar , can perk up your weekday cooking and may even advance you to experiment with new cuisines .
If you only affiliate Origanum vulgare with a mover and shaker of aged little green turn , growing one of these varieties for preparation will be a roof of the mouth - pleaser , for sure .
There are also assortment without a unspoilt feeling that are n’t meant for eat – ornamental like the hybrid ‘ Kirigami ’ that are standouts for hanging baskets , ground screening , andattracting pollinators .
In this guide , we ’ll present 11 of the good types of winter sweet for the plate gardener .
We ’ve ( ahem ) weeded through many cultivars and mintage within theOriganumgenus to make it easier to pick out an option that will enthrall you .
Here ’s the card :
11 of the Best Types of Oregano
For house gardeners , it ’s authoritative to distinguish ornamental oregano from culinary type .
Though I would say all types of oregano are attractive , and they will bloom with pink , purple , or lily-white flowers , some are extra - lovely grown in baskets , borders , or pollinator gardens .
Those type tend to have little flavor , though , and the winter sweet that are taste sensations are more modest in appearance .
If you ’re looking for Cuban ( Coleus amboinicus ) or Mexican ( Lippia graveolens ) oregano , note that while these metal money have a interchangeable taste profile , they ’re not considered rightful oreganos , and each is in a unlike genus than the plant we ’ll discuss here .
But please do pass over over to ourCubanorMexican oreganoguides for more information .
Will you go for feel or cooking ? Your pick ! Here are 11 types to consider :
1. Common
The name of this type might go forth you wondering when the word “ vulgar ” became synonymous with being coarse , obscene , or gross .
But disregarding of today ’s more blatantly negative intension in English , O. vulgaredoes in fact roughly translate to common oregano .
Its green staunch and shaggy , velvety immature leave of absence are snappy and robustly scented . This specie is really quite fantastic .
If systematist would allow me rename this charming plant , and if English Bible were allowed , I ’d call itO. various .
Not only can it survive cervid foraging , drought , poor soil , and cold wintertime temperature , you’re able to maturate it in all types of herb garden , as a ground cover , or in a hang basketball hoop .
aboriginal to Europe and Asia , common winter sweet can grow one to three feet tall and spread a foot or two via belowground contrabandist .
Its leaves are fragrant , as are its violet - pink or clean blooms , which attract pollinators .
Common Oregano
It ’s a perennial , audacious in Zones 4 to 8 . but many gardener and cooks just grow it as an annual with other mint candy relatives likebasilorthyme .
Find usual oregano seeds in packets and bulkfrom Eden Brothers .
2. Dittany of Crete
O. dictamnus , usually call dittany of Crete , has been around since the days when an herbaceous cataplasm was one of the only workable aesculapian treatment for combat injury and attrition .
In the “ Aeneid , ” the epic verse form completed by Virgil in 19 BCE , the goddess Venus harvests dittany from Mount Ida on Crete and uses it to heal the protagonist Aeneas ’ pointer wounding .
Would n’t it be fun to grow a fragrant ground cover with such a far - reaching story ?
Native to craggy region where fleet - footed goats gambol , this sub - shrub still grows wild where it originated , in the Dicte mountain range that comprises vast area of Crete .
But now it ’s prized in many gardens more for its feel than its medicative value .
Though you may practice the foliage teetotal or fresh to flavor soups and such , other type have superior intensity and flavor . But its link to mythology is not the only rationality to originate dittany of Crete in forward-looking time . It also makes an attractive primer cover in inhospitable spots .
Attaining about a fundament in pinnacle and spreading 18 to 24 inches , burning bush of Crete has a mound increment habit that covers au naturel spots and it can thrive in rock’n’roll gardens or sandy soils .
Its fragrant , minty leaves can be up to an inch broad and they ’re a spectacular shade of green , occasionally splashed with purpleness . They develop thick on the stems and sport white , muzzy hair .
The pinkish - majestic flowers have layered clusters of petals that look sort of like miniature basketball hoop skirts or maybe hop efflorescence .
The latter comparison inspired the substitute name hop marjoram . Each bloom is cradle by a bract that matures from green to a bright purple as seeds form .
It ’s significant to heed some precaution before choose to grow this type of oregano in containers , the garden , or your landscape painting :
Keep in mind , it does not withstand cold nearly as well as some other types . While some oreganos can make it the cold in Zone 5 or even 4 , fraxinella of Crete is hardy only in the milder clime of Zones 7 to 10 .
While it can grow in part shade and stick out heating plant and drouth , like other variety of Origanum vulgare , it ca n’t hack gamey humidity and well - drain land is a must .
3. Drops of Jupiter
I was n’t sure how to make sense of this cultivar ’s name when I first come across it .
But allot to Nicole Hoonhorst , PR Specialist at Walters Gardens , ‘ drop of Jupiter ’ was identify for its grotesque coloration , with “ drops ” alluding to the legion blossom it produce .
crossbreed ‘ drop cloth of Jupiter ’ may traverse you off your pes with its cosmetic value : showy yellowish green leaves and stems cancel with profuse clusters of pink flower surrounded by rich purple sepals .
Grow this salmagundi in full sunshine and it will pay back you with even more vivacious people of colour .
While you technically could eat the leaves , their flavor is inconsequent – far milder than leaves from motley bred for preparation .
‘ drop of Jupiter ’
‘ Drops of Jupiter ’ blossom later and longer than other Origanum vulgare , from midsummer to other autumn .
Plants reach 18 to 24 inches grandiloquent , and it spreads quite handily to fill up large container or bare bit in borders and tilt garden . It can grow three feet wide as it matures .
The plants are hardy in Zones 4 to 9 , so you may rely on them to come back time of year after season even in cooler climates .
Live plants areavailable from Burpee .
4. Golden
All that ’s gold does not glitter …
Take golden pot marjoram , O.vulgare‘Aureum . ’ While it ’s in no way of life shiny , it does rollick endearing greenish - gold foliage . And it is quite worthful , though not in swallow gem damage .
No , this works proves its Charles Frederick Worth as a primer top , culinary herb , pollinator magnet , and deer - resistant garden plant .
The burnished leaves complement other shrub in the landscape painting or flower border , too , and brighten up gloomy maculation with their coloring material .
It ’s even relatively moth-eaten tolerant and can be grown as a perennial in zone 4 to 8 .
‘ Aureum ’ will grow six to 12 inches marvellous handily and it spread out readily to a width of 18 inches . If you ’re growing it for culinary purposes , it ’s best to pinch the bud before they blossom to keep the foliation from becoming bitter .
Along with other oregano varieties with light - colored or variegated leave , the golden variety call for shelter from harsh afternoon sunshine .
‘ Aureum ’
That ’s wanton enough to provide , either by situating the plants in a part - shade location or with the strategic use of shade cloth . That seems like a small price to pay for this gilded opportunity …
industrial plant are available in mix - and - mates three - packsfrom Burpee .
5. Greek
Here ’s one situation where the idiomatic expression “ It ’s all Greek to me ! ” has a positive spin .
Hellenic oregano , O. vulgaressp.hirtum , is a moment more pungent than its Italian counterpart – another variety usually used in cooking that we ’ll cover a bit by and by in this roundup .
But this culinary oregano is a standout for temper all types of Mediterranean culinary art .
Happily , this tight - grow , mounding plant grows about two feet improbable and wide , rapidly multiplying via underground runners . It will produce plenty of lenient , hairy foliage to prepare with anddry for later use .
you’re able to grow it as part of a kitchen garden or in a windowpane boxful , but do n’t overlook the option togrow Greek oreganoas anherbal soil cover , even in chillier areas .
Greek Oregano
It ’s intrepid in Zones 5 to 10 and will bear both poor land and drouth , just as long as you grow it in full Lord’s Day and well - drain filth .
Greek oregano seeded player are uncommitted in packets and in bulkfrom Eden Brothers .
6. Hot and Spicy
Here ’s that culinary marjoram that reignite my cacoethes for home plate cooking !
ThisO. vulgarecultivar isn’tghost pepperor even jalapeno - level on the Scoville scale , but it does have a morsel of a bite .
It ’s handy for those who wish to fudge Tex - Mex dishes or who season with copious fatal Piper nigrum and require to add a similar warmth with a more vegetal , fresh herbaceous plant choice .
Low - growing and bushy , ‘ red-hot and Spicy ’ attain 24 to 30 column inch marvellous with an equal counterpane .
It is dusty hardy in Zones 5 to 9 , which stand for you may harvest the leaves to fudge with long afterhomegrown chilieshave died off or been hustle clean for winterise .
The clean flowers that flower in summertime are also edible , but be sure to pinch off the buds if you ’re still harvesting leaves . Once the plant flowers , the flavor of the leave becomes overly pungent .
‘ red-hot and Spicy ’
hear new , minced leaves in jarred salsa or as a garnish atop homemade enchiladas .
Or , warm the leaves in a bit of olive oil to convey out their tang , and use the vegetable oil as a end swirl in vegetable soups or to dip bread .
‘ red-hot and Spicy ’ winter sweet is available as part of a three - plant life mix - and - match setfrom Burpee .
7. Italian
Origanumxmajoricumis the botanical name , but this type is often predict Italian oregano – or maybe we should say “ Italian American . ”
Native to the Mediterranean , this oregano loan-blend is also known as hardy marjoram . It has a more elusive , sweet-scented flavor than Greek oregano and is feature at pizzerias and in frozen food across the US and elsewhere .
This is a great works forherb garden beginnerslooking for a relish powerhouse to assay their bridge player at . The leaves can be used in dishes from fish and salads to stews and , yes , Italian tomato sauce .
Like all culinary oregano , this herb is far milder fresh than dry out , so be inclined to utilize about three times more than you would from the garden if you were dipping into a jolt from the pantry .
Both the stem and hazy petty mint - dark-green leaves are eatable , and they can be frozen in butter , dehydrated , or air - dry . You ’ll have plenty to harvest if you choose to turn this variety since it will attain 12 to 24 inches tall and spread 12 to 18 inch wide .
The efflorescence are white or pinkish and fragrant . They ’ll draw pollinator and assault your senses if you engraft this herb near an outdoor kitchen or patio . You might line up the blooms tasty , too . They ’re attractive as garnish or to flavor herb butter or soups and stews .
For more information aboutharvesting and cooking with comestible flowers , see our guide .
Italian Oregano
take note that these plants are n’t quite as frigid - tolerant as some others , intrepid in USDA geographical zone 6 to 9 , so be certain to grow it in container so you may take it indoors if you want to keep the season going when temperature plummet .
Italian oregano is useable in four - packs of live plantsfrom Bonnie Plants via Amazonor in 1000 - seed packets from IB Prosperityvia Amazon .
8. Kent Beauty
‘ Kent Beauty ’ may sound like the succeeder of a pageant in a southeast England hamlet , but it ’s an ornamental works – and one that ’s quite likely to win first swag in a flower contest .
In fact , this hybrid cultivar earned a Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit in 2012 .
you may arise it as a perennial in USDA Hardiness Zones 6 to 9 and everywhere else as an yearbook or a plant that overwinters indoors .
The shrubby sweetheart reaches about 10 inches tall and fills out to about 12 inch in diam . The stalk will drape luxuriously from window loge or hanging basket , each densely packed with ellipse - form , silver - veined leaf .
In summer , the elegant leafage is joined by blooms that dwell of whorled pink , light green , or white bracts that loll like hops flowers . The overall effect is mellisonant pre - flowering and glamorous after the pendulous blossoms begin to bloom .
Do n’t be misguide into consider this plant is delicate based on its showy foliage and flowers , though . ‘ Kent Beauty ’ will thrive in sandy land and it tolerate heat and drouth like other Origanum vulgare .
Justremember to deadheadto keep this loan-blend full and unfolding . And plant it only in well - drain filth and porous containers like unglazed terra cotta .
It will waft an unmistakable oregano smell , but do n’t design to cook with the leaves or blooms . They ’re eatable , but not very toothsome – they are n’t pungent enough to convey flavor to your favourite saucer .
9. Kirigami
Hardy in zone 5 to 8 , ‘ Kirigami ’ is a skilful choice for those who need an ornamental option broad of nerveless weather that ’s known to attract pollinators .
The plant is graceful , sporting easy immature leaf with cold rosaceous accents . It blooms in a profusion of fragrant , flyspeck , pink - purple flowers in late spring and summertime . bee and butterflies can not leave them alone .
Another part of its appeal is its mounding substance abuse , which work well to cover bare spots in the landscape , or it can be used to grow between pavers in walkway .
This cultivar will also clothe attractively from a hanging basket that can move indoors for the cold month if you ’d like .
Drought broad , ‘ Kirigami ’ is also a candidate for rock gardens andxeriscaping .
It has a more mild summit than some of the culinary oregano , growing just eight to 10 inches tall and spreading 12 to 14 column inch wide .
‘ Kirigami ’
A version of the Japanese composition - close down graphics material body eff as origami , in kirigami the paper is issue as well .
As an artistry that I often link with wing animate being and graceful fluttering , it ’s easy to remember the key characteristic of embellishment and attracting butterflies and bee with a cultivar of this name .
Find decorative ‘ Kirigami ’ oregano in 20 - seed packetsfrom Park Seed via Amazon .
10. Marjoram
Italian oregano is sweeter than Greek , and sweet marjoram , O. majorana , is sweeter still . It afford a finespun piney savor with a chip of citrusy energy for added dimension .
I ca n’t assist but associate it with crybaby fricassee , a favorite of cooks in my suburban neighborhood back in the 1980s .
That eighteenth - century lulu is still prepared with marjoram in home kitchen and restaurant alike , such as theMount Vernon Inn eating house , where diners are invite to enjoy “ the sapidity of other America ” at George Washington ’s estate .
This is a compact herbaceous perennial that ’s sure to pep up your meals . It strain just 12 to 24 inches tall and is ideal for containers and small - outer space herb garden . In the winter , pot up a division to lend indoors !
drouth tolerant , pot marjoram is also a candidate for xeriscaping .
Marjoram
Marjoram does n’t grow as quick as its oregano relatives , nor is it as liberal of cold , sturdy only in Zones 7 to 10 .
Find wild marjoram germ in various packet sizesat Eden Brothers .
11. Wild Za’atar
Wild za’atar is a variety that I colligate with another word that start up with Z – zesty . And that makes it well-fixed to remember !
This pungent , tender repeated encompasses both oregano and Mentha piperita in its intense flavor . Zing !
O. syriacumis also known as Syrian oregano . And some believe it to be the species bear on to as hyssop in the Bible .
This herb pack a powerful slug and loom large in the garden . It can produce four foot tall and broad , and its odor matches the intensity level of its nip .
The huge plant sop up bees and butterfly in recent summertime when their spiky clusters blossom with two - lipped , tiny pink or white bloom .
You may have already eaten some dry Syrian marjoram as part of the democratic halfway Eastern spice mixture also normally known as za’atar , but its flavor is especially appealing when you apply the refreshed sprigs or leaves as a garnish , or for mollify pilafs and kabobs .
Wild Za’atar
If you ’d wish to grow this spicy , redolent herb , you may need to view embed it as an annual , or conduct thinning or divisions to winter indoors .
O. syriacumis only hardy in zone 9 to 10 , and it can not withstand chilly temperatures outside .
retrieve wild za’atar available in 30 - seed packetsfrom Palm Beach Medicinal Herb Store via Amazon .
Say Yes to Oregano
The many types of oregano plants are all comparatively easy to grow and partake .
Species plants and some cultivars can be distribute from seed , even indoors , and you may also propagate industrial plant from cut or divisions .
I mention this in case you agree that while planting one eccentric of oregano is adorable , growing several varieties gives you even more chance to invoke to pollinator , inhale marvelous scents , and append distinct savor to dissimilar cuisines .
Then take a closer look at oregano and some otherperennial herbs in the great deal familywith these guides :
© require the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more inside information . Product photos via Bonnie Plants , Burpee , Eden Brothers , Palm Beach Medicinal Herb Store , and Park Seed . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock . With extra writing and redaction by Allison Sidhu .
About
Rose Kennedy
