When to Plant Oregano in Perth, Mediterranean Guide

Sow September to January. Right now in September you can sow.

This Oregano guide is written for the Mediterranean zone, which takes in Perth, Adelaide and Bunbury. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Oregano

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 Mediterranean

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 Perth?

One email a week with what is worth planting in the Mediterranean 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: 15.9°C (optimal range: 18–25°C) ✗ Outside optimal range

Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Perth), not a live sensor.

How to Grow Oregano in Mediterranean Australia

When to Plant

Plant year-round. Thrives.

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

Mediterranean Growing Tips for Oregano

Recommended Varieties

  • Greek oregano
  • Italian oregano
  • Common oregano

Key Challenges

  • Minimal, native climate

Pro Tips

  • Perfect climate
  • Long-lived perennial that improves with age

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 Mediterranean Zones

Aphids and Powdery Mildew, risk: MODERATE (score: 48/100)

Organic prevention: Healthy plants in full sun rarely have problems.

View all pest alerts →

Where to next

What oregano costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the mediterranean zone this September: Ginger, Beetroot, Chilli Peppers and Cucumber.

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 Buddy

Common 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:

Does oregano grow all year round in Perth?

No. In the Mediterranean 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 Mediterranean zone, Perth is its reference city.