When to Plant Oregano in Sydney, Warm 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 Warm Temperate zone, which takes in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Melbourne 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 Warm 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
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Current Growing Conditions
Soil temperature: 17.0°C (optimal range: 18–25°C) ✗ Outside optimal range
Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Sydney), not a live sensor.
How to Grow Oregano in Warm Temperate Australia
When to Plant
Plant year-round except peak summer.
- 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
Warm Temperate Growing Tips for Oregano
Recommended Varieties
- Greek oregano
- Italian oregano
- Common oregano
Key Challenges
- Humid summers can cause issues
Pro Tips
- Good zone for oregano
- Raised bed or pot with sandy mix
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 Warm Temperate Zones
Organic prevention: Healthy plants in full sun rarely have problems.
Where to next
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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 Sydney?
No. In the Warm 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 Warm Temperate zone, Sydney is its reference city.