Caring for Oregano Indoors
Although it does best in dry sunny conditions during summer months, caring for oregano indoors is easy, as it can be easily grown in a container year-round. Growing your own oregano eliminates the need to buy fresh or dried oregano from a store. Use these techniques for growing your own oregano at home.
Light
Determine a bright, sunny location for your plant in your home. During colder months, give the plant light from fluorescent bulbs. Standard fluorescent lights should be held 2 to 4 inches over the plant; high-intensity and compact fluorescent lights should be held one foot over the plant.
Soil
Use sandy well drained soil.
Planting
Scatter the oregano seeds on top of the soil without pushing them in. Fill a water bottle with lukewarm water to mist the seeds. Cover the tray with plastic to retain moisture. Place the tray in a sunny location and they will sprout in about one week. When the seedlings are about 6 inches tall, spread them out about one foot in the same container or transfer to separate ones.
After you get seedlings, fan the container a few hours a day with an oscillating fan. The air movement around the herb will imitate more natural growing conditions.
Water
Water your plant well after planting to keep the soil moist, but do not let it get waterlogged. Avoid letting the pot sit in a drainage dish with water at the bottom. Oregano is native to hot, dry climates; it does not thrive under wet conditions. After established, water only once a week as needed.
Fertilizer
Avoid giving your oregano fertilizer, which can affect the taste.
Harvest
To promote better tasting herb, pluck the flowers off as they bud, and begin to trim your oregano for cooking purposes. Oregano can be harvested as soon as it is 4 to 6 inches tall.
