12 Oregano Companion Plants: Vegetables, Herbs, Flowers

Growing herbs that can not only serve culinary but health purposes too is an added advantage to your garden. An example of this herb is Oregano. Planting oregano is not a hard nut to crack and as a gardener, you would get it better just by studying it.

It is an herbaceous plant that grows annually. Oregano, being a lover of Mediterranean weather, will also grow well in hot and cold climates. With the right precautions taken, oregano will do well in almost any climate. This herb can be found in several places and possesses a flavor that makes it suitable for Italian meals.

It can also be used to decorate your surroundings and will complement most plants in the garden. It belongs to the family of mint and emits a scent that repels pests from any plant it’s companioning with.

Companion Planting has to do with helping other plants grow and produce a good yield. In some cases, they help the second plant have pest and disease-free growth. While the cultivation of some crops can cause havoc.

Therefore, in choosing what plant will benefit your oregano, you have to learn about them.

Practicing Companion Planting With Oregano

To give your oregano herb the best chance at growing, here are a few things to know when practicing it amongst others.

Grow the young seedling of the oregano plant indoors before transplanting it to the garden
The depth of the oregano seed into the soil should not be more than one-quarter inches
Before transplanting the young oregano plant into the garden, make sure it is cultivated in a big container
Prune the stems from time to time
Make sure you situate your plan in an environment where it receives full sun
Plant your oregano in an enriched and well-drained soil
Always add some compost to the soil you intend to grow your plant
They are deep-rooted plants and require enough water to remain moisturized. Always water the plants frequently.

The Best Oregano Companion Plants

Oregano adds more benefits to plants than it receives from them. Plants like tomatoes, capsicum (peppers), and beans will benefit a lot when planted in the same patch as oregano, also known as wild marjoram. It helps chase pests away and conserves moisture for those plants. That means it will serve as a good companion plant.

1. Cabbage

Vegetables that belong to the family of brassica are susceptible to cabbage moths, worms, and butterflies. Every gardener is familiar with these pests as they can reduce the quality of the fruit and make it unpresentable for sale or consumption.

Oregano repels cabbage moths so all you need to do to get rid of them is to situate the herb close to your cabbage. It will also get rid of cabbage butterflies alongside other pests. This also applies to other plants in the cabbage family like broccoli and kale.

2. Basil

Basil herb — Image: *@heatherdeffense via Twenty20*

Basil is one of the herbs that go well with oregano. It can drive away pests and other insects that can cause harm to your plant. Just by planting basil close to your oregano, you will have a growth cycle devoid of pest infestation. It also improves its flavor and adds to its essential oils.

3. Asparagus

You can’t plant oregano without mentioning Asparagus. This plant is a nematode repellent. Although it receives more benefits from oregano than it contributes to it, it is one of the plants highly recommended for oregano.

4. Pepper

Plants like chili and bell peppers that belong to the family of capsicum are good for companioning with oregano. They improve its flavor and oregano helps it in keeping pests away. The two blends make a great dish.

5. Grapes

It is not surprising that grapes have some pests that can destroy them. There’s hardly any crop that doesn’t have its enemy and this vine plant isn’t exempted. Flea beetles and grape leaf holders are some of the examples of these pests.

6. Thyme

Growing thyme in the house — Image: Envato Elements

Thyme is a great repellent for pests. Cultivating it with your oregano will help you get rid of pests even though oregano also repels pests. Thyme gives your oregano plant a good flavor and they make a perfect match in dishes.

The presence of oregano will take care of these pests that bore into your delicious grapes.

7. Cucumber

Curcubits get affected by cucumber beetles and squash bugs which are very injurious to their fruit. These pests hate oregano and stay far away from it. If you want to get rid of these pests, Simply grow oregano with it on the same patch.

8. Majorarm

Some gardeners confuse oregano with marjoram. Majorarm is an herb just like oregano but belongs to the family of mint. It is also aromatic compared to oregano. The two make a good pair in the garden and protect each other.

9. Beans

This crop adds a lot of nutrients to aid the growth of other plants and is equally susceptible to pests like aphids. Aphids suck up the nutrients in beans and can be gotten rid of by situating oregano close to it.

10. Strawberries

A lot of people love strawberries in their cereals, gardens, and a blend of fruits. Pests also love strawberries just as humans do. The best way to get rid of these pests is by cultivating plants that won’t deprive it of nutrients and oregano fills this space properly.

To avoid those pests, simply plant your strawberries with oregano herb.

11. Watermelon

If you want your watermelon plant to be well-being pollinated, then introduce oregano into your patch. Oregano invites pollinators to pollinate your crops which in turn increases its fruit and yield.

12. Cucumber

It’s no news that oregano acts as a pest-repellant for so many plants. It plays this role when planted with cucumbers too. Cucumber is susceptible to cucumber beetles but you can keep them at bay by cultivating oregano with it.

Oregano Planting FAQs

Here are some of the questions you may have about planting oregano answered.

What can I plant with oregano?

Some of the plants that will companion well with oregano include cabbage, basil, beans, and strawberries. Oregano benefits these plants in various ways. Some of which include; repelling pests, and increasing the yield.

What herbs can oregano be planted with?

Unlike some other herbaceous plants, oregano can be cultivated with some herbs. Majorarm, lavender, and rosemary are some of the herbs that can be companions with oregano.

Is oregano invasive?

There are roots called rhizomes. They are vigorous and can injure the roots of any plant cultivated close to it. Just like mint, oregano also possesses this kind of root, and it can be destructive if care isn’t taken. This is the reason why it’s called an invasive plant.

Will oregano take over my garden?

The roots of oregano can spread far and wide causing hindrance to other roots. So, yes it can take over your garden.

Does oregano grow back each year?

Yes, oregano is a perennial crop and will grow every year and this isn’t difficult. It can grow on its own and survive any climate condition

Should you let oregano flower?

Of course, you should! Oregano flowers are as edible as their leaves. None should be left unused as they will make delicious dishes.

What does oregano need to grow well?

To have a healthy harvest of oregano, you need to provide it with these requirements. A Spacing of 8-10 inches, well-drained soil with 6.5-7pH mixed with manure, and full sun.

How do you maintain oregano?

Provide your oregano plant with full sun and sometimes give it some shade. Oregano doesn’t like soggy soil so watch how you water it. It needs some humidity and fertilizer to grow well too. Always add manure from time to time.

How do you grow oregano in pots?

For a plant like oregano that prefers dryness, clay pots are best to plant in. Make sure it’s at least 12″ deep and 12″ open.

How often should I water oregano?

Oregano plants need not be watered too much. The only time you should water it is when you find out that it has dried as a result of exposure to the sun.

Are oregano leaves edible?

Apart from oregano flowers being edible, oregano leaves are what is harvested and used to make Italian dishes, pizzas, or even ornamental plants.

Can you eat oregano after its flowers?

Yes, you can and should as the flowers emit a great aroma that is perfect for some dishes. The flowers don’t affect the leaves and it’s safe for consumption.

In Conclusion

Oregano will not only serve your garden well but will also benefit many plants you cultivate with it. They can thrive in any weather which makes them easy to grow and be found in different places.

In addition to all these is the fact that they can repel pests and can be used as ornamental plants to decorate your surroundings.

In short, oregano goes well with many plants and can be categorized as one of the best companion plants. There’s hardly any plant that doesn’t make a good blend with oregano in the patch and also in dishes.