Oregano is very easy to grow, and it thrives in many conditions. You can grow oregano indoors or outdoors, but you need to know how often to water oregano so that it grows well and produces plenty of leaves for cooking.
Growing oregano is easy because it doesn’t require much attention. However, if you want your plant to thrive, you need to make sure that it gets enough water. If you don’t know how often to water oregano, keep reading!
How Often to Water Oregano?
The answer depends on where you live and how much sun your oregano receives on a regular basis. If you live in an area that receives at least six hours of sunlight per day and is warm enough for summertime temperatures, then watering once every few days should suffice.
However, if your oregano receives less than six hours of sunlight per day or if winter temperatures are too cold for outdoor plants, then watering more frequently may be necessary.
How To Tell It’s Time to Water Your Oregano
Oregano is a hearty and hardy herb that can survive in many climates. It does need water, but it’s not as fickle as some other herbs. If you’re wondering whether to water your oregano, here are a few signs that it needs more moisture:
The Leaves Are Curling Up or Turning Brown
This means they’re getting too much sun or heat, which can burn the plant. Move them to a shadier part of your garden or adjust your watering schedule so that they get less water in the heat of the day.
The Plant Is Wilting
Oregano plants wilt when they have too little water in their roots. This can happen if you haven’t watered them enough for several days in a row, but it’s also possible that your soil drains poorly and doesn’t hold moisture well (in which case you’ll want to add more organic matter). If you notice wilted leaves on one branch of a plant but all the others are fine, try watering with a spray bottle until the plant recovers.
The Soil Is Dry
Your oregano plant should be watered when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry about an inch below the surface. If there’s no rain in sight, give it a drink whenever the top inch of soil feels dry about an inch below the surface.
How to Water Oregano
Watering oregano is not difficult. All you need to do is water it when the soil gets dry. Make sure that the soil is moist but not soggy.
When watering, water thoroughly and then allows yourself to dry out before watering again. If you water too much, the roots will rot and die.
If your oregano plant is growing indoors, here are some tips on what can be done:
1) Put a large saucer under the plant, so that excess water can drain away from the potting mix. This will stop the roots from getting wet, which is essential if they are exposed to excessive moisture for long periods of time as this may cause root rot.
2) Use a small watering can with a rose or shower head attachment to avoid getting sprayed by moisture while watering. This will help prevent damage to the herb when you’re watering them.
3) Water in the early morning or evening when temperatures are cooler and plants are less likely to wilt because they have less transpiration rate compared to times during the day when the temperature is higher.
Signs of Excessive Oregano Watering
If you’re not careful, you can drown your oregano plants. The same goes for other houseplants, too. But because they’re hardy and easy to grow, they’re a common choice for indoor gardening.
Here are some signs that your plant is being over-watered:
- Leaves are yellowish or brownish in patches
- The stems are limp and soft instead of firm and upright
- The soil is soggy and waterlogged all the way up to the top of the pot
Final Thoughts
Oregano plants require regular watering during their growing season, which typically lasts from spring through fall. During hot summer weather, you may need to water your oregano every day to prevent wilting and other problems. If you live in a dry climate or have sandy soil, you may need to water your oregano more frequently than other garden plants.
