Open-pollinated. Perennial to Zone 4, but survives some winters in Zone 3. This is the true culinary herb for Greek and Italian cuisine. Low-growing 6–12" perennial with fragrant dull green and purple leaves and white flowers. If given a favorable square foot in full sun, it will fully inhabit the area attracting a proliferation of pollinators. Start indoors in spring for best results. About 2,000 seeds/g. ② ④
Greek Oregano
Greek Oregano
Open-pollinated. Perennial to Zone 4, but survives some winters in Zone 3. This is the true culinary herb for Greek and Italian cuisine. Low-growing 6–12" perennial with fragrant dull green and purple leaves and white flowers. If given a favorable square foot in full sun, it will fully inhabit the area attracting a proliferation of pollinators. Start indoors in spring for best results. About 2,000 seeds/g. ② ④
Additional Information
Oregano
The oregano genus has more than 50 species. The ancient Greeks gave it its name, meaning ‘joy of the mountains.’ These fragrant plants grow on steep rocky alkaline hills, filling Mediterranean mountainsides with their joyful cheer and intense scent. Not only has oregano flavored foods for thousands of years, but it also has medicinal uses, from relieving rheumatism and asthma to decongesting stuffy head colds.
Culture: Start indoors in spring for best results. Likes sun and light well-drained alkaline soil. Will lose potency if soil is overfed. Harvest when it is beginning to flower.
Herbs
See Herb Chart for uses and cultural information.
About medicinal herbs: Archeological evidence dates the medicinal use of herbs back 60,000 years to the Neanderthals. 85% of the world’s population employ herbs as medicines, and 40% of pharmaceuticals in the U.S. contain plant-derived materials. Fewer than 10% of higher plant species have been investigated for their medicinal components. Interest in traditional herbal remedies continues to grow.
Statements about medicinal use of plants have not been evaluated by the FDA, and should not be used for the diagnosis, treatment, cure or prevention of any ailment. Before using or ingesting any medicinal plant, consult a healthcare practitioner familiar with botanical medicine.
Takinagawa Burdock and Resina Calendula, as well as oats, mammoth red clover and alfalfa in the Farm Seed section, also have medicinal uses. Medicinal herbs such as black cohosh, licorice, and many more are available as plants, and shipped in the spring with orders from our Trees division.
Culture: Some herbs are customarily grown from divisions because they cannot come true from seed, such as scented thymes and flavored mints. Some require fall sowing of fresh seed, such as sweet cicely and angelica.
Using herbs: Drying herbs at home is not difficult. Whole leaves retain their flavor at least a year. To substitute fresh herbs for dried in cooking, use triple the dried quantity called for in a recipe.
Germination Testing
For the latest results of our germination tests, please see the germination page.
Our Seeds are Non-GMO
All of our seeds are non-GMO, and free of neonicotinoids and fungicides. Fedco is one of the original companies to sign the Safe Seed Pledge.