When to Plant Oregano in Cairns, Tropical Guide
Soil temperature is modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Cairns), not a live sensor.
What this month normally looks like in Tropical
In October the Tropical zone normally runs 34°C by day and 23°C overnight, with about 53 mm of rain over 5 or 6 wet days. Averages 1991 to 2026, 37 postcodes, SILO.
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This Oregano guide is written for the Tropical zone, which takes in Cairns, Townsville and Darwin. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- Apr to Aug
- Days to harvest
- 60 days
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- Low
- Spacing
- 30 cm apart
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.0
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.
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Planting Calendar for Tropical
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar -
- Apr S
- May S/T/D
- Jun S/T/D
- Jul S/T/D
- Aug T
- Sep -
- Oct -
- Nov -
- Dec -
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
Want a nudge when it is sowing time?
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How to Grow Oregano in Tropical Australia
- Soil
- Well-drained, lean soil. Excess fertility reduces flavour.
- Salt
- Moderately sensitive. Copes with a little salt, but the harvest drops on salty bore water.
- 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.
- Good companions
- Tomato, Basil, Capsicum, Thyme, Broccoli
- Keep away from
- Mint
Tropical Growing Tips for Oregano
Recommended Varieties
- Greek oregano (most heat tolerant)
Key Challenges
- Root rot from humidity
- Reduced flavour in humid conditions
Pro Tips
- Terracotta pots with sandy mix
- Maximum drainage
- Elevated position
Pests and problems for Oregano in Tropical
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.
Storing and preserving oregano
How to keep it
- Drying (BEST method). Bundle, hang upside down 1-2 weeks. Crumble leaves. Oregano INTENSIFIES when dried. Keeps: 12-18 months.
- Freezing in oil. Chop, freeze in ice cube trays with olive oil. Keeps: 6 months.
- Oregano oil/vinegar. Pack into sterilised jar with olive oil or vinegar. Seal 2-4 weeks. Strain. Keeps: 3 months oil, 12 months vinegar.
What oregano costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.
What members get
- Soil and weather from your nearest station
- An email when it's time to sow
- Your own garden plan, including planning from a photo
- Price history and price alerts
- Pest risk alerts for your area
- Full salt and canning detail
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:
- Tropical (Cairns): Apr to Aug
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Mar to Jun, Aug to Nov
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Jan, Mar to Apr, Sep to Dec
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Jan, Oct to Dec
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): Jan, Sep to Dec
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Mar to May, Aug to Oct
- Mediterranean (Perth): Mar to May, Aug to Nov
Can you grow oregano all year round in Cairns?
No. In the Tropical zone the planting months are Apr to Aug. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.
When should I plant Oregano in Cairns?
Plant in the dry season in a well-drained spot or pot. It is hardy in Darwin but may thin out in the wet.
What soil temperature do Oregano need?
Oregano germinate best when soil temperature is between 18°C and 25°C.
How do I know when Oregano are ready to harvest?
Harvest once bushy and 15cm+ tall. Best flavour just before flowering.
What are the best Oregano varieties for Cairns?
Recommended varieties for the Tropical zone include: Greek oregano (most heat tolerant).
What grows well with Oregano?
Good companion plants for Oregano include: Tomato, Basil, Capsicum, Thyme, Broccoli.
Are oregano salt tolerant?
Only a little. Oregano are moderately sensitive to salt, so the harvest drops on salty bore water. Mix salty water with rainwater, and mulch the bed.
Which zone am I in?
Type your postcode into the box near the top of the page and it 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 Tropical zone, Cairns is its reference city.