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Marjoram is a versatile herb that can be easily grown in your garden or in pots. To grow marjoram, start by selecting a sunny location with well-drained soil. Sow the seeds or transplant seedlings in spring or early summer. Water regularly but avoid overwatering, as marjoram prefers slightly dry conditions. Fertilize the plants every few weeks during the growing season. Prune the plants regularly to encourage bushier growth. Harvest the leaves as needed, and dry or freeze them for later use. With the right care, you can enjoy fresh marjoram throughout the year.
Marjoram, also known as Origanum majorana, is a delightful addition to any garden. With its delicate gray-green leaves and small pale-purple or white flowers, it brings joy and charm to the surroundings. As a member of the mint family, marjoram emits a pleasant scent and thrives in both indoor and outdoor containers.
Although marjoram is technically a perennial, it is commonly grown as an annual or indoor plant in the United States. However, gardeners in the South may be able to successfully cultivate marjoram as a perennial.
Various Uses for Marjoram
Standing at a height of 1 to 2 feet, marjoram is a compact plant that works well as a border or edging plant. It is also suitable for rock gardens. The sweet fragrance of marjoram makes it a lovely addition to patios and outdoor living spaces, where its aroma can be enjoyed. Additionally, marjoram attracts butterflies and other beneficial insects to the garden.
While marjoram is often grown for culinary purposes, it adds a slightly woody and citrusy flavor to salads and meat dishes. Fresh marjoram leaves are best added towards the end of cooking to preserve their flavor. On the other hand, dried marjoram can be added earlier in the cooking process to allow it to rehydrate.
Steps for Growing Marjoram
- Common Name: Marjoram, sweet marjoram
- Botanical Name: Origanum majorana
- When to Plant: Plant after the last frost when soil temperatures reach 70 degrees Fahrenheit
- USDA Zones: 9-10 (as a perennial); all zones as an annual
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil Type: Well-draining, moist soil
- Troubleshooting: Droopy and wilted leaves
- Signs of Thriving: Sturdy stems in red or brown color, green and silver leaves
Starting Marjoram From Seed
The easiest way to grow marjoram from seed is to wait until the frost danger has passed and directly sow the seeds into the garden. Prior to sowing, soak the marjoram seeds in water overnight to speed up germination. While waiting for the seeds to soak, incorporate aged compost into the top 8 inches of soil.
Once soaked, sow the marjoram seeds 12 inches apart, covering each seed with approximately 1/4 inch of soil. Gently water the seeds and ensure that the surrounding soil remains moist. Seedlings should emerge from the ground within 14 to 21 days.
If you prefer to start earlier, sow the marjoram seeds in seed trays eight to 10 weeks before the last frost. Place the trays in a warm area where the soil temperature can be maintained at around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the soil moist but avoid overwatering.
Marjoram seedlings require ample light. If you start them indoors, place them under a light for 16 hours a day and turn off the light for eight hours at night. Adjust the height of the light as the seedlings grow, keeping them 3 or 4 inches beneath the light source. It is recommended to use an LED grow light instead of an incandescent bulb to prevent overheating.
Starting Marjoram From a Seedling
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After the last frost, transplant your seedlings outdoors. Gradually expose them to the outdoor climate by leaving them outside for a few hours at a time, increasing the duration each day for about a week. Once the young plants have acclimated to the outdoor conditions, you can proceed with transplanting them.
When planting, space the holes 12 inches apart and make sure they are deep enough to cover the entire root ball of the marjoram seedling. Water the newly planted seedlings and apply a 2-inch layer of mulch around them to minimize weed competition while the plants are still young.
In Which Zones Does Marjoram Thrive?
Marjoram prefers warm weather and grows as a perennial only in USDA plant hardiness zones 9 and 10. Gardeners in zones 7 and 8 may or may not see their plants return the following year. In these zones, winterizing the marjoram is necessary, although it does not guarantee its survival.
Gardeners in regions north of USDA zone 7 need to either grow marjoram indoors or treat it as an annual plant.
When is the Best Time to Plant Marjoram?
Plant marjoram in the spring after the risk of frost has passed. Ideally, the soil temperature should be around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. For example, in zone 6, planting can be done in May or June, while in warmer areas, it can be as early as March or April.
Soil, Sunlight, and Water Recommendations for Marjoram
Marjoram thrives in full sun but can tolerate some afternoon shade if necessary. The plant prefers slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.7 to 7.0, but it can still grow in less than perfect conditions. Marjoram requires about 1 inch of water per week during the growing season, although it is somewhat drought-tolerant and prefers slightly less water over excessive watering.
While the marjoram is young and small, it is important to keep up with weeding to prevent competition for water and nutrients. As the plant grows, it will become more resistant to weeds and generally does not require fertilizer or additional assistance. However, if desired, you can give the plant some compost tea two or three times during the growing season.
To promote bushy growth, prune marjoram in late spring before the flowers appear. Repeat this process in the middle of summer to prevent the development of woody stalks, which is only a concern in areas where marjoram is a perennial. If you are growing the plant as an annual herb, pruning is not necessary.
How to Protect Marjoram in Winter
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If you live in a region north of USDA hardiness zone 7, there is no way to protect your marjoram plant during winter. The only way to ensure its survival is to plant it in a container and bring it indoors for the winter season.
If you live in USDA zone 9 or 10, your marjoram will grow as a perennial without any special care in the winter. Like other perennial plants, it will die back in the fall and come back to life in the spring.
For those in USDA zones 7 and 8, it is recommended to try keeping the marjoram outdoors during the winter. When the plant dies back in the fall, cover it with 12 inches of straw mulch to provide insulation. This insulation may be enough to keep the marjoram dormant and alive until spring.
It’s important to note that marjoram is sensitive to cold weather. Even with insulation, the plant may not survive a cold winter. If you want to ensure the survival of your plants, it is best to bring them inside for the winter.
To harvest marjoram, wait four to six weeks after planting when the plant is about 4 to 6 inches tall. Cut the leaves cleanly off the stem at the base. The best time to harvest marjoram is just after the flower buds appear but before they open. However, you can still enjoy the herb even if the flower buds have not appeared.
If your marjoram has flowers when harvesting, remove them to promote more leaf growth. Marjoram will continue to produce until it is killed or stunted by frost. If you cannot use the leaves immediately, you can dry or freeze them for later use. To dry marjoram, tie the stems together in small bundles and hang them upside down in a cool, dry place.
Rabbits can be a problem for marjoram plants, as they will eat the leaves and stems. To repel rabbits, consider planting onions or spreading dried sulfur or powdered red pepper around the garden. You can also use chicken wire to create a fence around your garden to keep rabbits out.
Thrips, aphids, and spider mites may also visit your marjoram plants. These pests can be dislodged with a spray of water, and laying sheets of aluminum foil between plants can discourage thrips. If you prefer, you can also use insecticidal soap to control these pests.
Marjoram can be susceptible to powdery and downy mildews, as well as botrytis blight. To prevent these diseases, space your marjoram plants 12 inches apart to allow for proper air circulation. Water the plants at the roots rather than the foliage, and avoid working in the garden when it is wet.
Rust can also have an impact on marjoram. One way to prevent it is by postponing your planting in the spring, as rust tends to be more severe at the start of the growing season. If you notice any signs of rust on a plant, make sure to remove it promptly to prevent the issue from spreading.
In order to avoid problems with marjoram, it is generally sufficient to maintain a weed-free and debris-free garden.
