How many plants for average family:
1 plant per family

Type of plant:
perennial

Best Varieties:
Wild or common oregano.
Golden oregano.
Greek or white oregano.

Sowing:
Root divisions taken in Spring are the most common method of propogation. You can try "layering" by pegging down a few stems that have just been lightly scored on one side. Mound up with soil on top and wait for roots to develop. When this happens, cut it from the main plant and transplant to desired location.

Growing Habit:
Oregano is a small shrub that can cover a reasonably large are in time because the stems laying on the ground will naturally root and begin a new plant. The common variety reaches about 30 cm in height whereas the Greek variety reaches 50 cm.

Growing Conditions:
This herb needs mediterranean conditions where summers are hot and dry and rain falls mostly in winter. You will need to simulate these sonditions in your garden for the plant to do well. Good drainage is essential also. It does not like frost but you can successfully grow it in a pot in a sunny protected courtyard. Pruning after flowering keeps the plant compact and bushy. Too much fertiliser reduces the flavour.

Companions:
Oregano can be grown near most vegetables.

Problems:
Frost sensitive.
Root rot can occur if drainage is poor.

Uses:
Leaves are used for cooking Mediterranean foods, sauces, soups and casseroles.
Use in the garden as an excellent ground cover.

For more information:

Spice Pages: Oregano (Origanum vulgare/onites/heracleoticum)
Informative article about the spice Oregano, its botany, chemistry, history and cross-cultural culinary usage. ... Names for Oregano in the large majority of European languages are very similar, or even ... e.g., Czech oregáno, Spanish orégano, Icelandic oreganó, Italian origano, Catalan orenga ...

Oregano
... Few Ideas to Get You Started. Oregano tastes great with tomato, egg, or cheese based foods, and ... vegetables in olive oil with garlic and Oregano. You can make a ...

Herbs: Oregano...or is it Marjoram?
... Oregano...or is it Marjoram? by Linda Gilbert ... that marjoram used to have its own genus. Now oregano is the genus and marjoram, or sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana ...

Oregano
... Some various and interesting facts and lore about: OREGANO/MARJORAM Origanum spp. ... it: 'Joy of the Mountains' Oregano was thought to be precious to the Greek Goddess