Golden oregano (Origanum vulgare ‘Aureum’)

Golden oregano (Origanum vulgare ‘Aureum’) is an herb that can grow 10cm – 50cm tall and 10cm – 50cm wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Golden oregano (Origanum vulgare ‘Aureum’).
This plant has several common names including: golden oregano or golden marjory.
This is a deciduous plant that takes 2-5 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: golden oregano, golden marjory
Scientific name: Origanum vulgare ‘Aureum’
Plant type: Herbs, Perennials
Habit: Bushy
Height: 10cm – 50cm
Spread: 10cm – 50cm
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial shade
Soil: Chalk, Loam
Moisture: Well drained
Garden type: City & Courtyard Gardens, Informal Garden, Mediterranean Garden, Rock & Gravel Garden, Wildflower meadow, Wildlife Gardens
Planting type: Flower borders and bedding
Other characteristics: Plants for pollinators, RHS Award of Garden Merit
Seasonal colors
Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
---|---|---|---|---|
Spring | ||||
Summer | ||||
Autumn | ||||
Winter |

How to plant Golden oregano (Origanum vulgare ‘Aureum’) – Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Golden oregano (Origanum vulgare ‘Aureum’), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Golden oregano (Origanum vulgare ‘Aureum’) is a plant that prefers to grow in chalk or loam.
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The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Origanum vulgare ‘Aureum’ likes to grow in well drained soil.
Sunlight
Golden oregano (Origanum vulgare ‘Aureum’) is a plant that should be grown in full sun or partial shade positions.

Cultivation profiles – Growing Golden oregano (Origanum vulgare ‘Aureum’) – User:BotBln, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons