Plant Details

Origanum vulgare

Oregano, Pot Marjoram

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Common names

65 names · 42 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Oregano[1]
  • Pot Marjoram
  • Wild Marjoram[1]
Other languages (41)
Dutch
  • Oregano
  • Palingkruid
  • Wilde marjolein[1]
French
  • Origan
  • Origan commun[1]
Arabic
  • مردقوش بري[1]
  • مردقوش شائع[1]
Armenian
  • Խնկածաղիկ սովորական[1]
Asturian
  • auriéganu[1]
Bashkir
  • Мәтрүшкә[1]
Belarusian
  • Мацярдушка звычайная[1]
Bulgarian
  • Обикновен риган[1]
Catalan
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Croatian
  • Divlji mažuran[1]
  • Obični mravinac[1]
Czech
  • dobromysl obecná[1]
Danish
Estonian
  • harilik pune[1]
Finnish
Galician
German
  • Echter Dost[1]
  • Gewöhnlicher Dost[1]
  • Oregano[1]
+1 more nameShow fewer names
  • Wilder Majoran[1]
Greek
  • Ορίγανον το κοινόν[1]
  • Ρίγανη[1]
Hebrew
  • אורגנו[1]
  • אזובית פשוטה[1]
Hindi
  • बनतुलसी[1]
  • सथ्रा[1]
Hungarian
  • közönséges szurokfű[1]
  • szurokfű[1]
Irish
  • Máirtín fiáin[1]
Italian
  • Origano comune[1]
Japanese
  • オレガノ[1]
  • ハナハッカ[1]
  • ワイルド・マジョラム[1]
Kazakh
  • Кәдімгі жұпаргүл[1]
Latvian
  • Parastā raudene[1]
Lithuanian
  • Paprastasis raudonėlis[1]
Norwegian
Polish
  • Lebiodka pospolita[1]
  • Oregano[1]
Portuguese
Romanian
Russian
  • Душица обыкновенная[1]
  • Орегано[1]
Slovak
  • pamajorán obyčajný[1]
Slovenian
  • navadna dobra misel[1]
Spanish
  • Orégano del Mediterráneo[1]
Swedish
  • kungsmynta[1]
Turkish
  • Karakınık[1]
  • Keklik Otu[1]
Ukrainian
  • Материнка звичайна[1]
  • Орегано[1]
Walloon
  • Såvadje mariolinne[1]
Welsh
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Origanum vulgare — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Oregano — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • Orégano del Mediterráneo — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • Wild Marjoram — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • Orégão — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • Душица обыкновенная — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • Орегано — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • Мацярдушка звычайная — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • Orenga — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • Origan commun — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • dobromysl obecná — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • Echter Dost — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • Divlji mažuran — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • Keklik Otu — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • Såvadje mariolinne — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • pamajorán obyčajný — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • Мәтрүшкә — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • Ourego — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • Meirami — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • Penrhudd — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • Mäkimeirami — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • Кәдімгі жұпаргүл — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • Merian — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • 野薄荷 — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • Gewöhnlicher Dost — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • Oregano — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • bergmynte — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • Origano comune — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • オレガノ — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • ハナハッカ — results[0].names[30]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • ワイルド・マジョラム — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • kungsmynta — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • harilik pune — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • Paprastasis raudonėlis — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • Lebiodka pospolita — results[0].names[35]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • auriéganu — results[0].names[36]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • Wilde marjolein — results[0].names[37]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • Ρίγανη — results[0].names[38]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • Ορίγανον το κοινόν — results[0].names[39]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • Обикновен риган — results[0].names[40]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • Խնկածաղիկ սովորական — results[0].names[41]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • 牛至 — results[0].names[42]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • Материнка звичайна — results[0].names[43]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • 牛至 — results[0].names[44]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • navadna dobra misel — results[0].names[45]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • Wilder Majoran — results[0].names[46]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • مردقوش شائع — results[0].names[47]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • مردقوش بري — results[0].names[48]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • szurokfű — results[0].names[49]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • Parastā raudene — results[0].names[50]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • אזובית פשוטה — results[0].names[51]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • közönséges szurokfű — results[0].names[52]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • Máirtín fiáin — results[0].names[53]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • Орегано — results[0].names[54]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • 野馬鬱蘭 — results[0].names[55]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • Oregano — results[0].names[56]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • Obični mravinac — results[0].names[57]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • बनतुलसी — results[0].names[58]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • सथ्रा — results[0].names[59]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • אורגנו — results[0].names[60]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • sovîrv — results[0].names[61]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.
  • Karakınık — results[0].names[62]; taxon id 61396; Origanum vulgare.

General information

Scientific name: Origanum vulgare
Accepted name (Kew): Origanum vulgare L. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family: Lamiaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Origanum (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Oregano, Pot Marjoram
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Herbaceous, Ground cover
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 0.3–0.91 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Spread: 0.3–0.61 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Growth rate: Moderate
Sources [3]
Foliage: Deciduous
Sources [3]
Growth habit: Cascading, Horizontal, Multi-stemmed, Spreading

Whole-plant habit and form as described by NC State.

Sources [3]
Life cycle: Perennial
Sources [3]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

USDA zones listed by NC State; winter survival does not establish reliable cropping.

Sources [3]
Soil moisture:
Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally Dry

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [3]
Soil:
Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand
Sources [3]
pH:
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Sources [3]
Light:
Full sun, Partial Shade
Sources [3]

Uses

Edible parts:
Leaves, Tea
Edibility rating:
(4)
Medicinal rating:
(3)
Functions:
Dye, Essential oil, Parasiticide, Repellent, Bee forage, Ground cover, Fragrant

Description

Leaves can be eaten both raw and cooked as a vegetable. Oregano is an important herb in Mediterranean cuisine and is often used instead of fresh oregano in dishes. The leaves are commonly used in salad dressings, vegetables, legumes, and in dishes with chili peppers, garlic, and onions. It is common for commercially available dried oregano to come from different plants such as Lippia graveolens, L. Palmeri, and Origanum Syriacum, which are not related to the oregano plant. The dried leaves and flowering stems can be used to make herbal tea.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/07
Harvest ends: 31/08

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1066134; name ID 143731; Origanum L.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1066279; name ID 143954; Origanum vulgare L..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Catalogue of Life Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Origanum vulgare

    Taxonomic data from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 2364232, ID 6T7B5: Origanum vulgare L. (accepted).

    Source checked on .

  3. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Origanum vulgare — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: HeightSpreadGrowth rateFoliageGrowth habitLife cycleLightSoil moistureSoil textureSoil pHUSDA hardiness
    Relevant sections
    • Height: Dimensions > Height; Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    • Spread: Dimensions > Width; Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .