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Oregano planting zones

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is a perennial. By the type table below, at least one type lives through winter in the ground in 4a–13b; colder than that, it is a pot plant or a one-season crop. Below the types are the dates that decide when it goes out and when it comes in: each zone’s median last spring freeze and first fall freeze, from NOAA records.

Published October 25, 2026 · Cite this page

The types

Which oregano to grow

Type Hardy in the ground Notes
Greek oregano Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum 4a to 10b, then too hot or humid Illinois calls it the “true” oregano and only marginally hardy in zone 5; NC State rates it 4a to 8b. Clemson says it is prized for its sharp taste.
Common oregano Origanum vulgare (sold as oregano or wild marjoram) 4a to 9b, then too hot or humid Penn State rates it zones 5 to 8. Illinois says common marjoram, often sold as wild oregano, spreads rampantly and is inferior for cooking.
Golden oregano Origanum vulgare ‘Aureum’ 5a to 9a, then too hot or humid Golden yellow leaves (NC State), which do better with some shade in the heat of the day.
Italian oregano Origanum × majoricum 7a to 10b, then too hot or humid UGA lists it among the kinds of oregano; Mississippi State says Greek has the robust flavor and Italian the mild one.
Mexican oregano Lippia graveolens 9a no warm-end limit A different genus with a similar flavor (UGA). Mississippi State says it is hardy in southern Mississippi; Illinois uses it for chili and Mexican dishes.

Zone ranges are a judgement: horticultural convention set beside what the sources below say, not a measurement. They agree with our What survives my winter tool. In the next table the freeze dates are measured, and the count of hardy types comes from these judged ranges.

Zone by zone

Where oregano lives through winter, and when the freezes fall

Each date is the median across every NOAA station the zone’s ZIP codes cite, 1991–2020 normals. The middle half of those stations falls within the range shown beside it.

Zone Types hardy in the ground Last spring freeze First fall freeze
3a 0 of 5 only 10 stations with comparable freeze dates — too few to publish a date
3b 0 of 5 May 18 · middle half May 15 – May 25 September 23 · middle half September 17 – September 26
4a 2 of 5 May 15 · middle half May 10 – May 21 September 27 · middle half September 22 – September 30
4b 2 of 5 May 11 · middle half May 5 – May 23 September 30 · middle half September 23 – October 3
5a 3 of 5 May 9 · middle half May 1 – May 20 October 2 · middle half September 26 – October 7
5b 3 of 5 May 4 · middle half April 27 – May 15 October 8 · middle half October 1 – October 14
6a 3 of 5 May 1 · middle half April 24 – May 9 October 14 · middle half October 5 – October 20
6b 3 of 5 April 25 · middle half April 17 – May 3 October 20 · middle half October 11 – October 24
7a 4 of 5 April 19 · middle half April 11 – April 27 October 23 · middle half October 17 – October 28
7b 4 of 5 April 8 · middle half April 3 – April 16 October 30 · middle half October 25 – November 3
8a 4 of 5 March 30 · middle half March 25 – April 5 November 5 · middle half November 1 – November 10
8b 4 of 5 March 20 · middle half March 13 – March 29 November 12 · middle half November 7 – November 18
9a 5 of 5 March 5 · middle half February 24 – March 15 November 24 · middle half November 18 – December 2
9b 4 of 5 February 12 · middle half January 30 – February 25 December 8 · middle half December 1 – December 17
10a 3 of 5 107 of 190 stations here record no ordinary freeze, so there is no freeze date to count from
10b 3 of 5 70 of 79 stations here record no ordinary freeze, so there is no freeze date to count from
11a 1 of 5 34 of 34 stations here record no ordinary freeze, so there is no freeze date to count from
11b 1 of 5 12 of 12 stations here record no ordinary freeze, so there is no freeze date to count from

“Types hardy in the ground” is a judgement, from the type table above. The freeze dates are measured.

A zone does not tell you your own dates. Inside a single zone the median last spring freeze still varies by 34 days from station to station, so the box below gives the dates of the NOAA station nearest your ZIP code.

Your ZIP code

Your ZIP, your answer

Enter your ZIP code to see your USDA zone, how many of the 5 types on this page live through that zone’s winter and when its freezes fall, read from the table on this page, and the freeze dates of the NOAA station nearest you.

Works for all 40,502 US ZIP codes. Freeze dates need a NOAA station within 100 km; where there is none, the page says so rather than estimating one. Your ZIP code stays in your browser: the page downloads the file of ZIP codes that share its first three digits and looks yours up there. It is not stored or tracked.

Your answer appears here.

Full details for any ZIP code: ZIP code zone finder.

Which oregano for your zone

University of Illinois Extension says there is much confusion between oregano and marjoram, and that if you want “true” oregano, Greek oregano (Origanum vulgare var. hirtum) is the one to plant. Common marjoram, often sold as wild oregano, is a hardy, rampant perennial that Illinois calls inferior for cooking. Illinois says true oregano is marginally hardy in zone 5, and that many of the most desirable types are treated as tender perennials that may need to come indoors for winter.

Penn State Extension says oregano (Origanum vulgare) thrives in USDA zones 5 to 8. NC State’s Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox rates Greek oregano zones 4a to 8b and says oregano in general tolerates heat and drought.

For the South, UGA’s Herbs in Southern Gardens names Greek, Italian and golden oregano, says Cuban oregano and Mexican oregano belong to different genera but have similar flavors, and says the lavender-flowered ornamental oregano has little flavor. Mississippi State’s Vegetable Gardener’s Guide calls Greek oregano the one for robust flavor and Italian the mild one, and Mexican oregano a tender perennial that is hardy in southern Mississippi.

Planting

Illinois says oregano can be grown from seed or cuttings, but seed-grown plants often do not come true, so it suggests plants grown from cuttings taken from plants with high flavor quality. If you sow seed, press it into the surface and do not cover it, because it needs light to germinate. Illinois says oregano must have full sun, and that good drainage is required for best growth and for overwintering.

Penn State propagates oregano from seed, cuttings or root division, all in spring. It sows directly outdoors in rows 19 to 24 inches apart, thinned to 8 to 12 inches between plants, or under lights, transplanting seedlings at about 3 inches tall. For cuttings it waits for late spring, tastes the plant first for good flavor, and takes 3- to 5-inch softwood cuttings from new shoots.

In the South, UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions says to plant oregano in full sun and well-drained soil, and that it grows easily from seed, cuttings or division. Texas A&M’s Growing Herbs in Texas spaces plants 8 to 10 inches apart and moves them to full sun.

Sun, soil and water

Penn State grows oregano in full sun and well-drained, average soil with a pH of 6.8, and calls it a vigorous, low-maintenance plant. Once it is established it needs little water: wait until the soil dries between waterings, though plants in pots need some extra. A balanced fertilizer can go on once a year.

NC State says oregano does best in average soil, including sandy loams, dry to medium moisture with good drainage, in full sun, and that golden or variegated oreganos do better with some shade in the heat of the day. UGA warns that oregano can be invasive, spreading by underground rhizomes.

Pinching, dividing and renewing

Penn State pinches back the tips after about 6 inches of growth to encourage more shoots, cuts out old wood that turns leggy at the end of winter, and replaces plants every four years. It divides roots in spring. Mississippi State’s Easy-to-Grow Herbs for the Landscape says oregano is easily propagated by division or cuttings.

Harvesting for the kitchen

Illinois starts harvesting just before the plants are ready to flower, removing stem tips and leaving 4 to 6 pairs of leaves so the plant makes side shoots for more harvests and grows bushier. It says letting oregano flower reduces or stops growth and reduces the flavor of the leaves.

Penn State harvests in summer or early autumn, before the plants are in full flower, and takes up to three-quarters of the current season’s growth at one time. UF/IFAS snips leaves as needed and says the best flavor comes just as flower buds form; NC State shears plants back regularly before flowering for the same reason.

Illinois uses oregano in sauces, tomato dishes, pizza, Mexican dishes, salads and soups.

Getting oregano through winter

Illinois says a winter mulch of evergreen boughs or straw, applied in November or December after the soil has frozen, helps oregano survive, and that it comes off as growth resumes in spring. Penn State mulches perennial herbs 4 inches deep after the ground has frozen in early winter and leaves the mulch on until plants show growth, because shallow-rooted herbs heave during spring thaws.

For types that are not hardy where you live, Clemson’s Home & Garden Information Center names varieties of oregano among the best herbs for containers that come inside in winter, where they need plenty of sunlight.

Common problems

Penn State says oregano can get fungal diseases such as mint rust and root rot, and insect pests including leaf miners, thrips and cutworms; aphids, spider mites and whiteflies can be a problem for young seedlings. NC State says root rot can occur in wet, poorly drained soils.

NC State’s plant toolbox lists Greek oregano as a problem for cats, dogs and horses.

Common mistakes

We found no Texas source with more than spacing for oregano: Texas A&M’s Growing Herbs in Texas gives height, spacing and sun only. LSU AgCenter and Alabama Extension did not load.

Questions

What zone does oregano grow in?
Penn State says oregano thrives in zones 5 to 8, NC State rates Greek oregano 4a to 8b, and Illinois calls true oregano marginally hardy in zone 5. Mississippi State says Mexican oregano, a different plant, is hardy in southern Mississippi. The type table on this page gives each type’s range, as a judgement.
What is the difference between oregano and marjoram?
Illinois says the two are often confused: Greek oregano is the true oregano, and common marjoram, often sold as wild oregano, is a rampant perennial that is inferior for cooking. Penn State says oregano is closely related to marjoram but has a coarser texture and a stronger flavor.
When should I harvest oregano?
Illinois harvests just before the plants flower, leaving 4 to 6 pairs of leaves on each stem. Penn State harvests in summer or early autumn, before full flower, and takes up to three-quarters of the season’s growth at once.
Can I grow oregano from seed?
Yes, but Illinois says seed-grown plants often do not come true, so for good flavor it suggests plants grown from cuttings. If you sow, press the seed into the surface without covering it, because it needs light to germinate.
How do I grow oregano in the South?
UF/IFAS says to plant it in full sun and well-drained soil. UGA warns that oregano can spread by underground rhizomes, and Mississippi State says Mexican oregano is a tender perennial hardy in southern Mississippi.

Sources

Freeze dates on this page are NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals, for every station the ZIP codes in each zone cite. Zones are the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, 2023. The type table is a judgement, as labelled above. Growing advice is quoted from the extension publications below, each written for its own area.

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Published October 25, 2026

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