Like many other culinary herbs, oregano can be cultivated in pots on the balcony, terrace or windowsill. In a favorable location, the popular herb develops splendidly and promises a rich harvest.
How can I grow and care for oregano in a pot?
To successfully cultivate oregano in a pot, you need a sunny location, a larger planter with herb or vegetable soil, a drainage layer made of expanded clay, sufficient watering and careful harvesting with sharp cutting tools.
Oregano needs a lot of heat and light
In order for oregano to thrive, it needs the right location. A south-facing balcony or south-facing window is ideal. Give the plant a few weeks to get used to the new environment and during this time protect the oregano from direct midday sun. Since many plants are grown in greenhouses, they are not used to the sun's powerful UV radiation. Despite their love of warmth, they react to the strong sunlight at midday with sunburn on their leaves.
Plant containers that are too small make oregano grow weakly
Herbs sold in stores are often in pots that are far too small. This means that there is not enough substrate available for the oregano and it cannot develop vigorously. It is therefore advisable to repot newly purchased plants immediately and to use this opportunity to move them into a larger pot. Alternatively, you can carefully divide the oregano and plant it in several pots.
Commercial herb or vegetable soil is suitable as a substrate, to which you can add a little sand to loosen it up. Since the oregano reacts to waterlogging with root rot, it is recommended to add a drainage layer of expanded clay to the planter.
The best watering time is early morning
Oregano in a pot needs to be watered more often than outdoor herbs. Watering is always done when the surface of the soil feels dry. In the warm summer months, oregano needs daily watering. The optimal watering time is early in the morning, as this allows the plant to immediately reabsorb the moisture that has evaporated through the leaves during the day. On very hot days you may need to water again in the evening. If the weather conditions are cool and damp, water the oregano very sparingly.
Harvest wisely
In order for oregano to thrive, it is important that you harvest it carefully:
- Always use a sharp and clean cutting tool.
- Harvest the shoot tips regularly; this also serves to rejuvenate the plant.
- As soon as the oregano begins to bloom, cut the plant about a hand's width above the ground.
- The leaves and flowers of this cutting can be preserved by drying or freezing.
Tips & Tricks
Herbs from the supermarket are grown in a very short time and are intended for consumption as soon as possible. If you want to cultivate oregano in a pot permanently, it is better to use plants from garden shops. These plants are hardy and can also be left outdoors during the summer months.