Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum Seeds | Greek Oregano
LATIN NAME: Origanum vulgare subsp. Hirtum
COMMON NAME: Greek Oregano
Plant Profile
A distinctive member of its genus, Greek Oregano (Origanum vulgare subsp. Hirtum) is a perennial in the mint family. The Greek oregano spreads its small, oval, strongly aromatic leaves on low, woody stems, and small, white flowers open in dense heads. It is a plant of open, sunny, sharp-draining ground. Not many plants ask so little and repay so much.
Science & Biotechnology
Origanum vulgare subsp. Hirtum sits in the mint family, a group that keeps botanists, horticulturists and plant breeders busy with questions of classification, adaptation and ornamental potential. Little about its garden performance is mysterious; it has been grown and observed for a very long time.
Uses & Benefits
Gardeners value Greek Oregano for its ornamental character, and the plant also fits naturally into herb, vegetable and cutting gardens. The Greek oregano is a fine, generous herb of herb garden and warm kitchen. It is a fine, generous herb of open, sunny, sharp-draining garden. Give young plants sharp-draining soil and open, sunny spot, and leaves will fill in the first season. Once it has settled, the workload drops to almost nothing.
Oregano is a medicinal spice: its carvacrol and thymol essential oils are potent, well-studied antimicrobials, and oregano oil is a best-selling immune supplement; in the kitchen it is the soul of Mediterranean cooking.
Growing from Seed
Sow fresh seed of Greek Oregano under ordinary good conditions. Scatter the seed evenly over a loose seed compost, cover to no more than its own depth, and keep the pot moist and bright. Grow the youngsters on steadily in pots until well rooted, then move them to their final positions.
Our Take
Greek Oregano settles in quickly once it finds its footing. The traditional uses covered above are what first made this species worth cultivating. After establishment, care settles into an easy routine.
Related Reading
Gardeners who grow Greek Oregano often pair it with these related subjects: