How to Grow Marjoram: The Fragrant Herb Your Garden Needs

Botanical Name
Origanum majorana
Plant Type
Sun Exposure
Soil pH
Subhead

Planting, Growing, and Caring for Marjoram

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Looking to spice up your garden and your cooking? Marjoram is the unsung hero of the herb world—a fragrant, low-growing plant that’s as lovely to look at as it is tasty on roasted veggies or grilled chicken. Whether you’re planting it as a tidy border, tucking it into a sunny windowsill, or mixing it in with your container garden, marjoram is delightfully easy to grow and endlessly useful in the kitchen. Here’s how to plant, grow, and care for marjoram like a pro!

In the kitchen, marjoram complements almost any meat, fish, dairy, or vegetable dish that isn’t sweet. 

Planting

  • Sow seed indoors in early spring.
  • To speed up germination, soak seeds in water overnight.
  • Cover seeds with a light layer of potting soil and water lightly.
  • Transplant the seedlings into bigger pots when large enough to handle. Grow indoors until all danger of frost has passed. See local frost dates.
  • Plant the seedlings about 12 inches apart in well-draining soil in a sunny, sheltered spot.

Growing

  • Water regularly, but do not overwater.
  • Keep plants trimmed by cutting the leaves throughout the growing season.
  • When flower buds appear, cut the plants back low to the ground to stimulate new growth.
  • In southern regions, Zones 9 and above, marjoram is a perennial and can be left in the ground.
  • In northern areas, the herb is an annual and may be potted up at the end of the season and placed in a sunny window indoors.

marjoram

Harvesting

  • Harvest the young leaves throughout the growing season and use fresh or freeze for later use.
  • Marjoram can also be dried and stored in an airtight container in a dark, dry area.
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About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website, and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana. Read More from Catherine Boeckmann
 

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