How to Grow Marjoram (Origanum majorana)

By Matt Gibson

Marjoram is an easy - to - spring up , flavorful , andaromatic herb . Finding room for a Origanum vulgare plant or two in your kitchen garden come with a few perks . Not only will it be a welcome improver to your future culinary endeavors , marjoram works alsoattract butterflies , and otherbeneficial louse , is an first-class companion plant life , and marjoram plants also have a strong but pleasant aroma which you could bask throughout the time of year .

Hailing from the mediterranean , marjoram is a ship’s boat perennial , fearless to USDA zones nine and ten , and is commonly uprise as an annual in regions with cool weather . Growing from eight inches to two feet gamy in a stocky clunk of upright stems which are red-faced when young , but deform slenderly woody as they senesce . From mid to late summer , wild marjoram forms small , delicate , lavender , bloodless , or pinkish flower clusters . The plant ’s leaves are diminished , hirsute , and sweet - smell , and are light - green on the top side and greenish - Robert Gray on the bottom . The scoop - shaped foliage mannikin along multi - forficate root .

marjoram origanum

Once established , marjoram plant practically care for themselves . They are drouth patient of , so they will be very absolvitory if you forget to water , and since the herbaceous plant does n’t require fertilization , watering is really the only care that must be provided . During balmy weather , your Origanum vulgare plants will thrive in a nice sunny location . turn your marjoram in containers is smart because it allows you the power to move your flora around with ease . Marjoram is extremely sensitive to cold weather , and should be moved indoors when the conditions catch chilly , especially if a rime is on the direction .

Marjoram is a common factor in many Greek and Italian recipes . The aromatic herbaceous plant is often found in lamb and pasta dishes , and is often used as a substitute for oregano . When substituting marjoram for oregano , expend one - third more marjoram than the recipe calls for oregano . When using marjoram to deputise for marjoram , habituate one - third less oregano than the formula call for winter sweet .

Marjoram ’s healing power can be attributed to its high antioxidant content . The leave-taking of wild marjoram can be brew to make a soothing tea that can be used to fight worried venter issues . The various herb also has anti - microbic property , and is usually used to make antimicrobic skin cleaner .

harvested herbs and Marjoram in garden with text overlay how to grow Marjoram

Varieties of Marjoram

Three main smorgasbord of Origanum vulgare are ordinarily cultivated in herb garden . These three are sweet marjoram ( Origanum marjorana ) , dope marjoram ( Origanum onites ) , which has a more marked flavor than sweet marjoram , and wild marjoram ( Origanum vulgare ) , which iscommonly called oregano . There are several named multifariousness of Origanum vulgare as well , including Italian oregano , and Sicilian oregano . All smorgasbord of marjoram are train for their culinary use , as well as for their enjoyable bouquet .

Growing Conditions for Marjoram

Marjoram will die if it is exhibit to inhuman temperatures or freezing . Because of this , it is usually grown as an annual in cool weather climates . Though they will tolerate a little bit of wraith , wild marjoram postulate a location with full - sunlight photo and a unaccented , well - draining soil sensitive . Before planting , till the soil so that it is wakeful , loose and well - draining . Marjoram will tolerate just about any character of land as long as it is well - draining . Though it will accommodate to whatever soil it is put in , marjoram prefer a soil medium with a pH between 6.7 and 7.0 .

When growing Origanum vulgare in the garden , we suggest originate your plants deep down during the last few week of wintertime or the first few hebdomad of spring to get an former jump on the growing season . Marjoram seeds should be swallow up just beneath the surface of the dirt . transplantation your healthiest seedlings into the garden only after the terror of hoarfrost has come and gone . Alternatively , marjoram can also be grown in containers indoors , or in a greenhouse . Marjoram grow well indoors where it is protected from moth-eaten figurehead and freeze and can be treated like a typical houseplant .

How to Plant Marjoram

Get a pass protrude on the season by starting marjoram indoors four weeks before the averagelast frost date in springand transplantation out after last frost . Marjoram seeds are rather slow to germinate , so to insure the best possible outcome , the idealistic temperature for germination is 70 degrees Fahrenheit .

contribute your transplants outdoors on the last Clarence Shepard Day Jr. of rime in the spring . you’re able to also get new Origanum vulgare industrial plant by stem variance , which should be execute during the fall , overwintered indoors , and moved out of doors on the last frost day , just like the seedling . If you do n’t get a head start on the time of year , you’re able to still direct sow your marjoram seeds just under the surface of the soil , no more than one - fourth of an inch deep , also on the last frost day of the month in the give .

Spread set out six column inch to one foot apart in dustup spaced one and a half to two feet aside . Because marjoram ’s fragrance attracts butterflies and other beneficial insect , the herb is a great companion plant for a broad assortment of species . Marjoram geminate very well in garden beds with all vegetable and herbs , and will do well planted periodically throughout the garden . Marjoram grow very well when embed next to sage , rosemary , garlic chives , and chamomile and supposedly improve the wellness , aroma , and flavor of other herbs grow in its vicinity .

Care for Marjoram

There ’s not much that goes into caring for marjoram , as it requires very little charge or tending . Other than occasionally providing water during dry spells , there ’s nothing to do . Marjoram is drouth tolerant as well , so even forgetting to water your winter sweet every now and then is forgivable .

Marjoram will grow very well even in poor caliber soils , so it does n’t need to be fertilized , and aside from occasional watering , the only care Origanum vulgare plants demand is a picayune passementerie from fourth dimension to time . trim the leafage back throughout the growing season and foreshorten the plants to the ground after flowering will keep your marjoram plant focused on creating new growth .

In geographical zone nine and above , marjoram can be grown like aperennialand go out in the ground , but in zone eight and below , marjoram plants should be pot up and bring in indoors to set up residency on a sunny windowsill during the inhuman time of year .

How to Propagate Marjoram

Marjoram can be propagate well from seed and through solution division . To broadcast marjoram from seed , sow them indoors six weeks prior to the median last frost in your sphere . instead , marjoram can be directly sown in the garden during the fall , or planted in the winter using a cold frame or a greenhouse .

Marjoram can be propagated quite easily through rootball segmentation from either deal or semi - hardwood cuttings . cutting should be taken in autumn , winter in pots indoors , and moved into the garden on the average last freeze in your zone .

Garden Pests and Diseases of Marjoram

Marjoram is one of the few favourable plant that suffer from no serious plague or disease issues . now and then , you might regain aphid or spider mite fall out on your marjoram plant , but they can be easy discourage with a quick bam of water from the garden hose . Wet or soggy ground weather with hapless drainage can lead to damping off and solution rot .

How to Harvest Marjoram

About 60 days after planting , Marjoram leafage are quick for harvest home . Fresh leaves should be trimmed with a garden pruner or a sharp , light yoke of pair of scissors whenever needed after the plants become four to six inch marvellous . Once the leave-taking turn over full size of it , cut back them back for a cut - and - come - again harvest . The occasional trim will reinvigorate the plant and keep it focusing on new maturation .

The more your marjoram plant are give away to heat , the more flavor the leaves will hold . However , heat exposure will eventually lead to flowering . For the best feel , harvest home marjoram leaves before the plant bloom . take out bloom buds when you first notice them form in gild to prolong harvest time .

How to Store Marjoram

clean pot marjoram can be kept in the refrigerator in a plastic handbag for around three to four solar day . dry marjoram surprisingly hold quite a bit of its scent and flavor . To preserve your oregano , dry out the leave by spread out them out on a baking sheet and track them with a newspaper towel and then putting it into the fridge to dry .

Marjoram leave can also be dry out by placing them into an uncovered bowl and stirring them daily . This outgrowth can take anywhere from two to seven Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . Leaves can also be dry out by storing them in a mesh bag placed in a dark , warm , ironical location . Once leaves are amply dried , place them in an airtight container .

Marjoram is an fantabulous herb to imbed in random seat all around your veggie and herbaceous plant garden beds , as it is a great companion plant , benefiting its neighbors in multiple manner . Aside from its usefulness in the kitchen , it ’s an leisurely - to - grow herb that provides a fresh - smelling aroma throughout the growing season , and that aroma , as well as it ’s tiny blossom clump , attract beneficial insects like butterfly to your garden .

There are lots of rationality why marjoram deserves a billet in your veggie and herbaceous plant garden . There are no reasons to leave it out of the rotation . Now that you know the Hoosier State and outs of how to grow winter sweet , it ’s time to have those perk .