Oregano is a true survivor and adapts well to both extreme heat and cold in its natural habitat. However, it depends on the variety how hardy the herb is. For this reason, sufficient winter protection is required.
How can I protect oregano in winter?
To overwinter oregano successfully, cut it back in autumn, pile up soil and humus at the base and cover it with spruce branches, leaves or plant fleece. In the pot it should be protected from the wind, in a bright place and in frost-proof containers, covered with garden fleece or bubble wrap.
Cover young plants early
Oregano planted in the current year is often not yet hardened enough to survive frosts undamaged. It is therefore advisable to give the actually winter-hardy plants appropriate protection as soon as the first night frosts set in.
- Cut the oregano about a hand's width above the ground in autumn.
- Hill the herbs at the base with two shovels of garden soil that you can add humus to.
Since the plant dries up in the frozen earth when exposed to wind and sunlight, it is important to also provide shade. This also protects the plants from the interplay between warm daytime temperatures and frost at night that is common in our latitudes.
- Cover the above-ground part of the oregano with spruce branches or leaves.
- Alternatively, you can cover the culinary herb with a suitable plant fleece (€13.00 on Amazon).
Overwintering oregano in a pot
- Only leave planters outdoors that have been declared frost-proof by the manufacturer.
- Move the pots to a wind-protected and bright corner of the patio.
- Cover both the flower pot and the herb with garden fleece or bubble wrap.
- When using foil, leave a chimney to allow humidity to evaporate.
- Since the oregano should be watered a little on mild winter days, ensure there is sufficient water drainage.
Overwintering oregano in the house
In very rough locations, you can take the herb from the herb garden, pot it and overwinter in a bright, frost-free room. The same applies to oregano plants that you have cultivated on the balcony or terrace during the summer.
Tips & Tricks
We advise against overwintering at room temperature, because oregano can only survive until spring if the plant's metabolism is slowed down.
