Did you know that oregano can do more than flavor your favorite dishes? In your herb and vegetable garden, this versatile herb can be a star player in companion planting! Discover the best oregano companion plants, including flowers, herbs, and vegetables, to enhance your garden’s health, attract beneficial insects, and maximize your harvest. A quick reference chart is included, as well as step-by-step instructions for harvesting oregano. Whether you’re focused on growing oregano or exploring creative plant pairings, this guide will show you how to master the art of companion gardening with tips for thriving culinary herbs and smart garden companion planting strategies!
Table of Contents
Why I Love Growing Oregano
I have grown oregano in a variety of places in our USDA plant hardiness Zone 8b landscape, from the perennial garden to my constantly-evolving potager garden. It’s a fantastic, easy-care plant (I’m always on the lookout for low-maintenance additions to the garden) that thrives in a variety of conditions, making it ideal for both novice and experienced gardeners. This hardy herb is drought-tolerant and requires minimal maintenance, thriving in well-drained soil and full sun. Its ability to flourish in poor soil and resist pests and diseases makes it a reliable choice for any garden.
Beyond its resilience, oregano offers culinary and medicinal benefits, adding robust flavor to recipes and boasting antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Whether grown in a garden bed or a container, oregano is a versatile, low-effort plant that rewards gardeners with vibrant greenery and aromatic leaves year-round.
Oregano Companion Plants: Flowers
Oregano thrives alongside many companion flowers, offering mutual benefits like pest control and improved growth. Here are some of the best oregano companion flowers:
Marigolds – Repel pests and attract beneficial insects.
Nasturtiums – Deter aphids and other harmful insects.
Zinnias – Attract pollinators and beneficial insects.
Echinacea (Coneflower) – Supports pollinators and enhances garden aesthetics.
Calendula – Attracts beneficial insects and adds vibrant color.
Lavender – Repels pests and promotes a fragrant garden.
Chamomile – Improves the flavor and health of nearby plants.
Cosmos – Draws pollinators and beneficial insects to the garden.
Oregano Companion Plants: Herbs
Oregano companion herbs share space efficiently, contributing to a healthy, pest-resistant herb garden. Here are the best companion herbs for oregano:
Basil – Both thrive in similar conditions and complement each other in pest control.
Rosemary – Shares oregano’s love for sunny, well-drained soil and deters pests.
Thyme – Grows well alongside oregano with similar soil and watering needs.
Sage – Both benefit from similar growing conditions and attract pollinators.
Parsley – Grows well near oregano, though parsley prefers slightly more water.
Chives – Helps repel pests and grows well in similar conditions.
Mint – Can thrive nearby but should be contained to avoid overgrowth.
Cilantro (Coriander) – Prefers similar soil conditions and offers diversity to the herb garden.
Oregano Companion Plants: Vegetables
Oregano is an excellent companion plant for many vegetables, offering pest control benefits and improving overall garden health. Here are the best oregano companion vegetables:
Tomatoes – Oregano deters pests like aphids and attracts pollinators that help tomato plants thrive.
Peppers – Benefits from oregano’s pest-repelling properties and shares similar growing conditions.
Eggplants – Protected from pests like flea beetles when planted near oregano.
Beans – Oregano helps deter bean beetles and improves the surrounding ecosystem.
Cucumbers – Thrives alongside oregano, which helps repel cucumber beetles.
Squash – Protected from pests by oregano’s strong scent.
Broccoli – Benefits from oregano’s ability to deter cabbage moths and other pests.
Carrots – Oregano’s aroma helps mask the carrot scent, keeping pests like carrot flies away.
What Not to Plant with Oregano
While oregano is a great companion for many plants, some crops and herbs don’t thrive when planted nearby due to conflicting growth requirements or competition for resources. Here’s what not to plant with oregano:
Cilantro – Prefers cooler, moister conditions, unlike oregano’s love for dry, sunny spots.
Dill – Its tall growth can overshadow oregano, limiting sunlight.
Fennel – Often considered a poor companion for most plants due to its allelopathic properties that inhibit growth.
Brussels Sprouts – Oregano’s strong scent may deter beneficial insects that Brussels sprouts attract.
Onions – Can overshadow or compete with oregano due to their growth habits.
Oregano Quick Reference Companion Planting Chart
| Oregano Companion Plants | |
| Oregano Companion Plants: Flowers | Oregano Companion Plants: Herbs |
| Calendula | Basil |
| Chamomile | Chives |
| Cosmos | Cilantro |
| Echinacea | Mint (in a container) |
| Lavender | Parsley |
| Marigolds | Rosemary |
| Nasturtiums | Sage |
| Zinnias | Thyme |
| Oregano Companion Plants: Vegetables | Worst Oregano Companion Plants |
| Beans | Brussels sprouts |
| Broccoli | Cilantro |
| Carrots | Dill |
| Cucumbers | Fennel |
| Eggplants | Onions |
| Peppers | |
| Squash | |
| Tomatoes | |
Planting Tips for Oregano
When is the best time to plant Oregano?
The best time to plant oregano is in the spring after the last frost, when the soil has warmed up and the risk of freezing temperatures has passed.
Where is the best place to plant Oregano?
Plant oregano in a sunny location with well-drained soil, preferably in a spot that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight daily.
How to Harvest Oregano
Harvesting oregano is simple and ensures the plant remains healthy while providing flavorful leaves. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Timing the Harvest
Best Time: Harvest oregano just before it flowers, as the leaves are most flavorful at this stage.
Time of Day: Early morning after the dew has dried for the best flavor and oils.
Tools You’ll Need
Use sharp scissors or pruning shears (Felco shears at my favorite) to prevent damaging the plant.
How to Harvest
Cut stems about ⅓ of the way down, ensuring you leave enough growth for the plant to recover.
Focus on the outer stems, as this encourages new growth from the center.
Regular Maintenance
Regularly pinch or trim leaves to encourage bushy growth.
Avoid overharvesting—leave at least ⅔ of the plant intact to keep it healthy.
Post-Harvest Care
Use fresh oregano immediately or dry it by hanging bunches upside down in a cool, dry, and dark place.
Store dried oregano in an airtight container to preserve its flavor.
Varieties of Oregano
Oregano comes in several varieties, each with unique flavors, appearances, and uses. Here are some popular oregano varieties:
Greek Oregano (Origanum vulgare var. hirtum)
Flavor: Strong, pungent, and spicy.
Use: Common in Mediterranean cuisine.
Features: Compact plant with small, dark green leaves and white flowers.
Italian Oregano (Origanum x majoricum)
Flavor: Milder and sweeter than Greek oregano.
Use: Great for Italian dishes like pasta and pizza.
Features: A hybrid of oregano and marjoram.
Syrian Oregano (Origanum syriacum)
Flavor: Earthy and slightly bitter.
Use: Essential in Middle Eastern spice blends like za’atar.
Features: Grayish-green leaves with small white flowers.
Golden Oregano (Origanum vulgare ‘Aureum’)
Flavor: Mild with a hint of sweetness.
Use: Decorative and culinary purposes.
Features: Bright golden-green foliage.
Turkish Oregano (Origanum onites)
Flavor: Warm and aromatic.
Use: Common in Turkish and Greek cooking.
Features: Small leaves and delicate white or pink flowers.
Hot and Spicy Oregano (Origanum vulgare ‘Hot & Spicy’)
Flavor: Extra spicy and bold.
Use: Ideal for spicing up dishes like chili or stews.
Features: Dense growth with bright green leaves.
Need More Planting Ideas?
Check out the tips for the best companion plants for eggplant to learn what to grow with those beauties. If you like the idea of companion planting, you might be interested in reading about the best companion plants for pumpkins, irises, sunflowers, garlic, asparagus, rosemary, radishes, beetroot (beets), thyme, parsley, lupine, borage, stevia, kale, dahlias, or the best companion plants for lavender. Get tips for growing stunning dahlias or vintage roses. Are you a beginning gardener? Try planting some foolproof, easy-care perennials, or learning about the best companion plants for columbine. There are so many exciting plants to grow!
Keep Track of Your Garden with a Journal Logbook
Now that you have learned about some compatible companion plants, keep track of your planting ideas, goals, and plans with a printable, editable free garden journal logbook. Choose the pages you want to use and customize them as you wish to record monthly, weekly, and daily garden tasks, lists, weather, and planting arrangements. There are also grid pages for easily designing the layout of your vegetable garden, flower garden, or landscape. Print it out and put it into a notebook you can take with you to the garden (that’s what I do). It’s nice to have all of your garden information in one place.
Free Online Garden Planner Layout Template
Now that you know which are the best companion plants for oregano, you might need a way to plan your garden layout. Whether you are planting vegetables, flowers, or herbs near your lupine plants, this online garden planner can help you visualize your design and bring it to life. Arrange and rearrange the plants over and over, then print the layout when you are satisfied. With garden tasks that need your attention, this is one way to save time.
It’s fully customizable when you make your own copy and includes two editable chart pages for noting planting specifications.
Get my free online garden layout planner template!
Have a wonderful day, and may all of your oregano endeavors meet with success!
Lisa Mitchell is a wife, mom, and school librarian who likes to grow fruit, herbs, vegetables, and flowers on her family’s small Pacific Northwest farm. To learn more about what this website has to offer gardeners, click on over to the Garden page.
Thank you for this list of oregano companion plants. I have grown oregano before, but it’s always been overtaken by more vigorous spreading plants. I will keep your ideas in mind this spring when I plant oregano once again.
You are most welcome! Yes, the same thing has happened to me before. It’s especially helpful to plant those spreaders like mint in containers if you are able. Happy planting!