How to Harvest Oregano

Co-authored by Hannah Madden

Last Updated: August 25, 2021 References

The pungent yet slightly bitter taste of oregano is sure to add flavor to any dish or drink you put it in. Harvesting your own oregano at home ensures you get the freshest, best-tasting herb that’s out there, and picking it yourself is super easy. Keep reading to learn how you can harvest your oregano throughout the growing season for a delicious addition to your kitchen.

Question 1 of 7:

How do you know when oregano is ready to harvest?

When the stems are at least 4 inches (10 cm) tall. It’s a good rule of thumb, but you don’t have to stick to it completely. If you want to let your oregano get a little taller, you can! If not, just keep a ruler nearby and measure your plant as it grows.^{[1]
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- Oregano is usually ready to harvest in the late spring.^{[2]
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  Royal Horticultural Society
  Leading gardening charity in the U.K. providing resources for identifying, growing and caring for flowers and other plants
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Question 2 of 7:

How do you harvest oregano without killing the plant?

1
Snip off a few shoots about 2/3 of the way down the plant. Use sharp scissors or a pruner to clip the stem about 2/3 of the way down. Oregano is pretty tough to kill, so don’t worry about being super gentle.^{[3]
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2
Strip the leaves off with your hands. Grab a stem in one hand and hold it in place. Use 2 of your fingers to gently stroke the stem and scrape all the leaves off. When you’re done, collect the leaves and throw the stem into your compost or trash.^{[4]
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Question 3 of 7:

Can I harvest oregano after it flowers?

You can, but it might not taste quite as good. Oregano leaves taste the best when they’re harvested just before the flowers open. If you see flowers on your oregano plant, start harvesting right away.^{[5]
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Royal Horticultural Society
Leading gardening charity in the U.K. providing resources for identifying, growing and caring for flowers and other plants
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Question 4 of 7:

Should I let my oregano flower?

If you want to collect oregano seeds, then yes. The flowers on the oregano plant are what produce oregano seeds so you can plant more. If you’d like to harvest the seeds, snip the flowers off the plant as they begin to dry. Hang them upside down for 2 to 3 weeks, then shake the flower heads into a bag to collect the seeds.^{[6]
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Question 5 of 7:

Should I cut back oregano?

Yes, regular pruning promotes growth. If you notice that your plant is getting a little too bushy, go ahead and cut it back about 2/3 of the way using sharp scissors or hand pruners. Try to keep around 1 to 3 in (2.5 to 7.6 cm) of growth above the soil to keep the plant healthy. Oregano is a fairly hearty plant, so as long as you leave at least 1/3 of it intact, it’s going to be fine.^{[7]
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Question 6 of 7:

Is oregano better fresh or dried?

1
Use fresh oregano for the best flavor. Fresh herbs are always going to taste better than their dried counterparts. If you want to really taste the flavor of oregano, harvest it right before you’re about to use it.^{[8]
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Royal Horticultural Society
Leading gardening charity in the U.K. providing resources for identifying, growing and caring for flowers and other plants
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2
Dry oregano if you want to save it. Fresh oregano doesn’t last very long. If you want to keep it around, rinse the leaves off with cool water first.^{[9]
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Research source} Then, spread the leaves on a paper towel in a single layer. Place the leaves in the oven, but keep the oven turned off, and leave them there overnight. When the leaves are dry and crumbly, transfer them to an airtight container.^{[10]
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National Center for Home Food Preservation
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- You can also dry oregano leaves in a dehydrator if you have one.
- Keep the leaves in a cool, dark place, like your kitchen pantry.

Question 7 of 7:

How do you use fresh oregano?

1
Add it to chicken for a delicious flavor profile. Oregano and chicken are a match made in heaven. No matter how you make it—roasted, baked, grilled, or poached—chopped oregano can make it even tastier. Try adding it to your marinade or stuffing springs inside of a whole chicken.^{[11]
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2
Mix it in with beef for amazing burgers. Give your BBQ a little extra oomph this summer. As you mix up your meat, throw some chopped oregano in before you cook up the patties. Your guests will wonder how you managed to add such amazing flavor to a delicious burger.^{[12]
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3
Try a bit of oregano in your pesto. While basil is usually the star of the show in this dish, adding oregano can make it taste even better. Chop some fresh oregano and add it into your pesto, then drizzle it over pasta, salad, or flatbread.^{[13]
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