Spring planting doesn’t start when the air feels warm, It...Read More
Sweet Marjoram is an aromatic herb with a similar flavor profile to oregano but more mild and sweet. Commonly used in Mediterranean culinary creations, this herb is a fantastic addition to your home herb garden. The fuzzy oval-leafed foliage can be harvested and used fresh or dried and kept for long term use as a spice. Sweet Marjoram makes a great addition to herbal spice blends with fresh basil, thyme, and parsley. This herb is easy-to-grow with minimal pest or disease issues and can be grown in gardens, raised beds or planter pots for diverse situations. In warmer climates Sweet Marjoram will grow as a tender perennial and in cooler climates it tends to grow as an annual.
NAME: Marjoram (Origanum majorana)
VARIETY: Sweet
DAYS TO MATURITY: 65 – 75 days
POLLINATION: Open Pollinated
TYPE: Tender Perennial or Annual
HARDINESS ZONE: Zones 3 – 9
SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Sun
SOIL: Well-draining, fertile soil with a pH 6.5 – 7.2
SPACING: 14 – 18 inches
PLANT HEIGHT: 12 – 24 inches
TEMP: 55 – 95ºF
These seeds do not required stratification.
To learn more about Stratification, click here!
Start sweet marjoram seeds indoors 3 to 4 weeks before your last local frost.
Sow 2 to 3 seeds per cell or small pot, 1/4 inch deep.
Keep them out of direct sunlight, but make sure the soil temperature stays at least 65-70ºF.
Germination may take up to 25 days.
Once seedlings emerge, thin out the weakest seedlings so you have one per cell.
Before transplanting outdoors, harden off seedlings for 5 to 7 days. Do this by taking them outside during the day and bringing them in at night (Outside temps should be above 50°F when you start this process).
Transplant the seedlings 12 to 18 inches apart in well-draining soil that receives full sun.
Although it is possible to direct sow sweet marjoram seeds outside, it is not recommended as germination will take much longer in the cool soil of spring which significantly shortens the growing season and delays the harvest of fresh leaves.
if you choose to start seeds outdoors, wait until after the last frost date to sow them directly into well-prepared garden soil.
Choose a location with well-drained soil and full sun exposure.
Loosen the soil to a depth of about 6-8 inches and remove any debris or weeds.
Plant the seeds about 1/4 inch deep in the soil, spacing them 6-8 inches apart.
Water gently after planting to settle the soil around the seeds.
Keep the soil consistently moist until the seeds germinate, which usually takes 7-14 days.
Thin the seedlings to the desired spacing once they have grown a few inches tall.
Make sure the seedlings have adequate moisture, but as soon as they are established do not over water them.
Marjoram thrives on neglect, preferring slightly dry soil and lots sunlight because of its Mediterranean origin. therefore water only if drought conditions persist.
If the soil becomes too wet, the plant may suffer from root rot or other fungal diseases.
Apply mulch to keep the foliage clean and to prevent weeds.
Marjoram grows well as a container plant.
Keep the plant pruned to prevent flowering and encourage foliage growth, since the leaves grow bitter after the plant flowers.
Harvesting of the leaves or entire sprigs can begin when the plant reaches a height of 9 inches. The best time to harvest the leaves is the morning after the dew has dried.
Fresh marjoram is best used near the end of cooking, as flavor diminishes with heat.
