Name: Greek Oregano - Pizza Oregano - Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum
Brand: Benjis Seeds
Price: 2.5 EUR
Availability: InStock

<tc>Greek Oregano - Pizza Oregano - Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum</tc>

€2,50 EUR

€12.500,00 EUR kg

Price plus shipping

Delivery time: 1-2 business days (PT – international may vary)

Seed portion

Quantity:

reicht für ca. 5 m²

In stock

Historic, traditional and unchanged wild form. Genetically stable & open-pollinated - 100% free from hybrid breeding, GMOs, and synthetic fertilizers. Organically propagated - preserved in its original form.

Local pickup at Benjis Seeds

Pickup Instructions

Harvest year:

2024

Seed viability:

3 years (species-specific)

Detailed information on germination capacity

Greek Oregano – mediterranean rarity with intense aroma.

A traditional, perennial culinary and medicinal herb with a strong, spicy flavour, an intense aroma and a high content of essential oils. It grows robustly and is ideal for outdoor beds, greenhouses or container cultivation. Hardy, drought‑tolerant and perfectly suited for self‑sufficiency and organic gardening.

Origin & History

Greek oregano grows wild mainly in Greece, but also in Cyprus, North Macedonia and Turkey, and is one of the classic Mediterranean culinary herbs with international importance. The name “oregano” comes from the Greek words “oros” (mountain) and “ganos” (joy) – meaning “joy of the mountain”. In ancient times it was valued by Greeks and Romans as both a medicinal and culinary herb, and it was also considered a symbol of happiness and joy, traditionally used at weddings.

Greek oregano has long been appreciated for its particularly intense aroma and its high content of carvacrol, an essential oil known for its digestive, antibacterial and mood‑lifting properties. This clearly distinguishes it from other oregano species and makes it the most aromatic form. Today it remains the globally recognised classic seasoning for pizza and Mediterranean sauces and is regarded as an important cultural plant in international organic gardening.

Appearance & Characteristics

The plant is perennial and forms compact bushes with small, aromatic leaves and white flowers that attract many insects. Its shallow root system makes it ideal for pot cultivation and rooftop greening.

Plant details:

Height: Compact, approx. 30-70 cm
Form: Bushy, branched
Leaves: Small, oval, dark green with fine hairs
Flowers: White, arranged in panicles
Flavor: Strongly spicy, intensely aromatic - retains aroma even when heated

Usage & Cultivation Highlights

Greek Oregano is ideal for pizza, pasta sauces, Mediterranean dishes, herb oils, and teas. Its intense essential oils make it particularly versatile – both as a spice and as a medicinal plant for inflammation and digestive complaints. Perfect for herb gardens – the flowers are a valuable source of nectar for bees.

The variety grows reliably in open ground, greenhouses, and pots. It prefers sunny locations, well-drained soils, and tolerates drought well. Hardy and cold-resistant, it requires only minimal watering. Plants should be replanted every 4–5 years, as the content of active substances decreases over time. Resistant to slugs and ideal for rock gardens.

Compared to other oregano varieties, Greek Oregano is especially aromatic and versatile – perfect for gardeners who appreciate robust, perennial herbs with Mediterranean character.

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Origin & Cultivation at a Glance

First mention:

Known since antiquity

Origin:

Eastern Mediterranean region

Breeder:

Unknown – heritage variety

Propagation site:

Lower Saxony – Germany

Suitable for:

Open field, Greenhouse, Balcony / pot, Urban gardening, Raised bed, Rock garden

Care requirements:

Low – easy to care for, ideal for beginners.

Overwintering:

Hardy – suitable for perennial cultivation outdoors.

Special features:

High-yielding, Drought-tolerant, Heat-tolerant, Sun-loving / sunny

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Cultivation guide for

<tc>Greek Oregano</tc>

Growing difficulty:

Easy

• In subtropical climates, sow from March in sunny locations - pre-culture possible from January.
• In temperate regions, sow in full sun from mid-May after the last frost – pre-cultivation from March recommended.
• Sow in well-drained, calcareous, humus-rich, sandy-loamy and low-nutrient soil. Light germinator – do not cover with soil. Plant spacing: 25×30 cm.

Cultivation tips:

• Fertilize sparingly - overly nutrient-rich soils reduce the aroma.
• Good air circulation protects against aphids and fungal diseases.

Storage instructions:

Store seeds in a cool, dry, dark, and airtight environment to maximize shelf life and germination.

Detailed information on seed storage

Plant Profile

Plant details

Botanical name:

<tc>Origanum vulgare L. subsp. hirtum</tc>

Botanical family:

Lamiaceae

Plant type:

Culinary herbs, Perennial herbaceous plant

Growth habit:

Upright growth, Clump-forming, Compact

Plant width:

50 cm

Plant height:

70 cm

Root type:

Shallow to moderately rooted

Hardy to:

-15 °C, occasionally down to -18 °C possible.

Cultivation period:

6-12+ months

Life cycle:

Perennial, long‑lived (5–10+ years)

Propagation method:

Generative propagation by seed, Self-seeding, Vegetative propagation, Division possible, Propagation by cuttings

Propagation:

• This variety is cross-pollinated by insects and belongs to the species Origanum vulgare.
• A minimum distance of 100–150 m from other varieties of the same species is recommended for seed production, as cross‑pollination by insects is easily possible.
• This perennial plant produces branched inflorescences with numerous small, well-ripening seeds after summer flowering.
• Seeds are ready for harvest once the seed heads are fully dried and slightly brittle.

Sowing & Planting

Germination type:

Light germinator, Warm germinator

Sowing depth:

0 cm

Germination temperature:

18-22 °C

Germination time:

10-20 days

Pot culture:

Requires a minimum container size of 5 liters.

Row spacing for baby leaf:

Not suitable for baby-leaf cultivation.

Plant spacing:

25 cm

Row spacing:

30 cm

Pricking out / thinning out:

3-4 weeks, thin out after formation of the first true leaf pairs.

Planting time:

Only once the soil is frost-free. Transplanted seedlings can be planted outdoors about 3 weeks after pricking out.

Soil

Soil type:

Well-drained, humus-rich sandy loam soil

Soil pH:

6.0-8.0 - slightly acidic to alkaline

Nutrient requirements:

Light feeder

Soil moisture:

Drought-tolerant, Moderately moist, Adaptable, Sensitive to waterlogging

Soil preparation:

Loosen soil before sowing, Prepare soil weed-free and with a fine crumb structure., Apply lime to acidic soil., Low-nutrient soil recommended

Companion planting, Crop rotation & Harvest

Companion plants:

Tomato, Pepper / Chili pepper, Thyme, Rosemary, Sage, Lavender, Calendula, Tagetes

Incompatible plants:

Parsley, Basil, Chives, Coriander, Mint, Lemon Balm, Brassicas, Celery

Crop rotation guidelines:

• Perennial – remains in place for several years. Avoid direct crop succession with other Lamiaceae species. After cultivation, allow at least 3 years before replanting related herbs.

Harvest time:

Summer

Sowing to harvest:

3-4 months

Harvested parts:

Leaves, Flowering shoot tips

Suitable for consumption:

Yes - edible raw or cooked.

Intended use:

Diet cuisine, Low Carb, Culinary herb, Natural garden, Pollinator plant, Companion perennial, Fragrant plant, Raw consumption, Salad, Tea, Cooking, Roasting, Grilling, Baking, Drying / Dehydrating, Freezing, Preserving