When to Plant Oregano in Melbourne, Cool Temperate Guide
Sow September to January. Right now in September you can sow.
Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
This Oregano guide is written for the Cool Temperate zone, which takes in Melbourne, Hobart and Geelong. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Canberra Alice Springs Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Hardy perennial Mediterranean herb essential to Italian, Greek and Mexican cuisines. Oregano's flavour intensifies when dried. One of the few herbs where dried can be better than fresh. Drought-tolerant, heat-loving, hates wet feet.
Planting Calendar for Cool Temperate
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S/T | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | S/T | S/T | S/T | S/T |
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
Want a nudge when it is Oregano sowing time in Melbourne?
One email a week with what is worth planting in the Cool Temperate zone right now, Oregano included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.
Current Growing Conditions
Soil temperature: 13.1°C (optimal range: 18–25°C) ✗ Outside optimal range
Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Melbourne), not a live sensor.
How to Grow Oregano in Cool Temperate Australia
When to Plant
Plant Sep-Dec. Dies back in winter.
- Soil
- Well-drained, lean soil. Excess fertility reduces flavour.
- pH Range
- 6.0-8.0
- Sunlight
- Full sun. Maximum sun = maximum flavour.
- Spacing
- 30cm apart, 45cm between rows
- Watering
- Low water once established. Overwatering is the #1 killer.
Companion plants: Tomato, Capsicum, Basil, Rosemary, Thyme
Avoid planting near: Mint
Cool Temperate Growing Tips for Oregano
Recommended Varieties
- Common oregano
- Greek oregano
Key Challenges
- Winter dieback
Pro Tips
- Mulch crown in winter
- Reliable perennial
Harvesting Oregano
When ready: Harvest once bushy and 15cm+ tall. Best flavour just before flowering.
How to harvest: Cut stems above a leaf pair. Take up to 2/3 of plant in peak season.
Common Oregano Pests in Cool Temperate Zones
Organic prevention: Healthy plants in full sun rarely have problems.
Where to next
Get the Full Interactive Guide
Track your garden, get real-time pest alerts, and plan around your zone's weather.
Open the planting dashboard Join Garden BuddyCommon Questions About Oregano
When do you plant oregano in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Apr to Aug
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Jan to May, Aug to Dec
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Jan, Sep to Dec
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Jan, Sep to Dec
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): Jan, Oct to Dec
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Jan to Apr, Aug to Dec
- Mediterranean (Perth): Jan, Sep to Dec
Does oregano grow all year round in Melbourne?
No. In the Cool Temperate zone the planting months are Jan, Sep to Dec. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.
Which zone am I in?
Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Cool Temperate zone, Melbourne is its reference city.