Harvest oregano stems just before the plant flowers. Leave enough leaf for the plant to reshoot, then hang the stems to dry.
Harvest stems just before it flowers
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| When | Just before the flowers open, in the morning after the dew dries | Waiting until the plant is in full bloom, when leaf flavor drops |
| How much | Cut stem tips and leave four to six pairs of leaves, or no more than one-third of the plant | Stripping the clump to bare wood |
| Kind | Kitchen oregano and sweet marjoram for the kitchen | Cutting Kent Beauty as a cooking herb |
| Store | Hang-dry, then jar the leaves, or refrigerate fresh stems about a week | Leaving cut stems in the sun or a damp pile |
The strongest leaf flavor is just before bloom. Cut in the morning after the dew has dried. [1] Leave four to six pairs of leaves on each stem so the plant can push new shoots. Do not take more than about one-third of the plant at a time. [2] common oregano is the kitchen harvest. sweet marjoram uses the same before-flower cut for a milder leaf. Hop-bract types are not a cooking cut — pick the kind on Types of Oregano. [3]
When do I harvest oregano?
Cut stems just before the flowers open, in the morning after the dew dries. That is when the leaf flavor is strongest.
How to harvest and dry oregano
Cut a handful of stems, leave enough leaf to reshoot, and hang the bunch until the leaves crumble.
- Snip stems just above a leaf pair, once the plant is several inches tall and before the flowers open.
- Leave four to six pairs of leaves on the plant, and stop when you have taken about one-third of it.
- If the stems are clean, do not wet them. If they are dusty, rinse, shake, and let the surface dry.
- Tie a small, loose bunch and hang it upside down in a warm, dry, dark place with air around the stems. The leaves are ready when they crumble. [4]
- Strip the dry leaves from the stems and store them whole in a jar, out of sun and heat. Crush them when you cook. Fresh stems also keep about a week in the refrigerator.
How do I dry oregano?
Hang a small bunch upside down in a warm, dry, dark place. When the leaves crumble, strip them and store them in a jar.
If the plant is already in bloom, cut now anyway — waiting longer only weakens the next flush of leaf.
FAQ
Can I eat the flowers?
Yes. The flowers are milder than the leaves. For the strongest leaf flavor, cut before they open.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] Illinois Extension -
https://extension.illinois.edu/herbs/oregano - [2] Old Farmer's Almanac -
https://www.almanac.com/plant/oregano - [3] NC State Extension Publications -
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/harvesting-and-preserving-herbs-for-the-home-gardener - [4] UC Statewide IPM Program -
https://ipm.ucanr.edu/home-and-landscape/cultural-tips-for-growing-oregano/
This note is part of Origanum Guides.
More harvest timing notes by plant live in Harvesting Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors