Italian Oregano Grows How Big?

Height and Spread

• Italian oregano grows 15 to 18 inches tall and generally 18 inches wide if it has the room to spread. It grows slowly, however, and may not reach its final size for many seasons.

Factors

• Short growing seasons in northern climates prolong the time it takes for Italian oregano to reach its full size. Freeze damage on the upper portions may force Italian oregano to grow new woody stems from the ground up, again delaying the time it takes for Italian oregano to reach its full size. Consecutive winters with this degree of damage may keep Italian oregano small.

Benefits

• The relatively small size of Italian oregano makes it a good plant for a tall border. However, it is not so short that it can't have carpet or very low-growing annuals or perennials growing in front of it. In an herb garden, the pungent aromas low to the ground keep modest numbers of pest insects away from the lower, protected portions of nearby plants.

Considerations

• Since Italian oregano grows slowly, a succession of larger annual herbs or flowers may be planted in front of it year after year. Once it reaches its full size, perennial herbs or herbaceous flowering plants 12 inches tall or shorter planted in front of the Italian oregano will no longer hide it.