Za'atar Oregano in Zone 10a & 10b

Origanum syriacum

Yes, za'atar oregano grows in zones 10a and 10b. Start seeds indoors Dec 5–Dec 12 and plant out Feb 13–Feb 20.

When to plant za'atar oregano in zone 10b

Zones 10a and 10b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.

Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. It needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.

Start indoorsDec 5–Dec 12
Direct sow / transplant outsideFeb 13–Feb 20
Estimated harvestMay 14–May 21 (~90 days after transplanting)

Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-2 ft.

Plant alongside it in zone 10b

These go outside within two weeks of za'atar oregano in zone 10b, so one planting day can cover them.

Za'atar Oregano
Photo: Davidbena via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped.

Za'atar is both a spice blend and a plant, and the two get confused. The blend contains sumac, sesame and salt alongside the herb. The plant is Origanum syriacum, and this profile is about the plant.

How za'atar oregano fits zone 10's season

Zone 10b's frost-free window runs about 324 days, from January 30 to December 20. Za'atar oregano needs about 90 days from transplant to first harvest.

Za'atar Oregano planting windows in every zone

Zone 10b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.

ZoneStart indoorsSow or plant outHarvest
4a & 4bMar 20–Mar 27May 29–Jun 5Aug 27–Sep 3
5a & 5bMar 15–Mar 22May 24–May 31Aug 22–Aug 29
6a & 6bFeb 28–Mar 7May 9–May 16Aug 7–Aug 14
7a & 7bFeb 13–Feb 20Apr 24–May 1Jul 23–Jul 30
8a & 8bJan 28–Feb 4Apr 8–Apr 15Jul 7–Jul 14
9a & 9bDec 21–Dec 28Mar 1–Mar 8May 30–Jun 6
10a & 10b (your zone)Dec 5–Dec 12Feb 13–Feb 20May 14–May 21

Harvest dates are about 90 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.

Good companions

No well-established companions for za'atar oregano.

Where to buy za'atar oregano seeds

None of the seed suppliers we list carries za'atar oregano seeds right now. A local garden center or a specialty seed house is the place to look.

See why we recommend these suppliers →

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See it growing

Search YouTube for "growing za'atar oregano" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)

← Back to the full zone 10b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →

Growing Za'atar Oregano in USDA zone 10b

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Growing Za'atar Oregano in USDA zone 10b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.

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