Marjoram is one of my top five culinary herbs grown at home. I've been growing marjoram in patio pots for years and have found that sweet marjoram can take a simple dish from good to tasty!
Marjoram is a versatile herb popular in Italian and Greek cuisine and can be used fresh or dried in salads, sauces, dressings, and in a variety of meat dishes. Its taste is delicate with aromatic tones of sweet pine and citrus fruits. My favorite method of using marjoram is to toss fresh marjoram leaves into roasted vegetables at the end of the cooking process so that the heat dissolves the herbal flavor into the hearty treat.
As with most herbs, marjoram has been used since ancient times and has many medicinal benefits. The Greeks believed that marjoram promoted longevity and used it in everything from food to medicines to perfumes and cosmetics. Medically, marjoram has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that aid digestion and fight off flu and infections.
Good products for growing marjoram:
Brief instructions for care
Growing marjoram is easy and this aromatic herb is great for a chef's garden. Source: FeeBeeDee
| Common Name (s) | Marjoram, sweet marjoram, knotted marjoram |
| Scientific name | Origanum majorana |
| Days to harvest | 70-90 days after semen |
| light | Full sun |
| Water: | Low water requirement |
| ground | Free-flowing silt, loam, sand |
| fertilizer | Minimal |
| Pests | Aphids, spider mites |
| Diseases | Botrytis, powdery mildew, rust |
Everything about marjoram
Both the leaves and stems have flavor, but the leaves are the most commonly used. Source: thegardenbuzz
The scientific name for marjoram is Origanum majorana and is commonly referred to as marjoram, sweet marjoram, or knotted marjoram. It originates from the Mediterranean and North Africa, but is also believed to have come from West Asia.
Marjoram is a slowly spreading, tender perennial that becomes 30-60 cm high and 45 cm wide and forms a bushy mound when ripe. It spreads through root rhizomes and seeds itself. A marjoram plant that is not cultivated is very common in the garden. Pruning flower stems in summer reduces the volume of flowers and seeds produced. You can also divide mature plants every few years to limit the spread of the root rhizomes and produce lots of free plants!
The leaves are light green and slightly hairy and grow opposite on green / brown square wooden stalks that can become long-legged in the shade. Flower buds grow on the apical and lateral extremities, forming tight green nodes that open into white flowers. This is where the name "knotted marjoram" comes from.
Marjoram is often confused with its close cousin, oregano. They both come from the genus Origanum in the mint family, Lamiaceae, but are completely different species; Marjoram is Origanum majorana and oregano is Origanum vulgare.
The main differences between marjoram and oregano are their flowers and taste. Marjoram flower buds open into white or purple inflorescences, while oregano flowers are pink. In terms of taste, they both have similar base notes, but oregano is much stronger and more flavorful, and requires heavily flavored foods like pizza. The aroma and taste of marjoram are milder and are often preferred by chefs because it doesn't overwhelm the food.
Like most Mediterranean herbs, marjoram likes to grow in well-drained soils in full sun. It is not frost tolerant and is grown annual in many northern regions. In these areas, it is best to grow marjoram in containers that can be transported indoors over the winter.
plants
Marjoram plants can be brought outside after the risk of frost has expired. After weeks / months of indoor growth, it is important to adapt the plants to their new environment by hardening them every day. Place the plants outdoors in a sunny, sheltered spot during the day and move them indoors at night. After about a week the plants are ready to take their final growth positions in the garden.
Choose a sheltered, sunny spot with well-drained soil to grow marjoram. For plants that will grow in a container, mix perlite or horticultural grain in your potting soil to aid in drainage. Use feet or straps to lift the containers off the floor so that the pots can drain freely. Marjoram plants can be grown in pots alone or along with other herbs with the same growing needs as oregano, thyme, and rosemary.
Marjoram care
Fresh marjoram can be used after harvest or dried for later use. Source: larryjh1234
Marjoram is easy to care for. If you don't have the perfect growing conditions in your garden, you can grow this aromatic herb in containers or even in a window box.
Sun and temperature
Marjoram grows best in USDA zones 6-9 in full sun and at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. An ideal temperature range for growing marjoram is 15-20 ° C (60-70 ° F). Although marjoram can survive brief periods of cold, prolonged periods of frost kill it. For this reason, in northern regions, marjoram is grown as an annual herb or in a container to be brought indoors in winter.
Water and moisture
Water marjoram early in the morning before the full heat of the day. Young grafts need to be watered regularly until they are established. Mature plants are more drought tolerant and benefit from the soil drying out between waterings. However, they are less tolerant of damp roots and can develop root rot quickly.
Use a timed watering hose or a watering can aimed at the floor. Marjoram can develop mold in high humidity, especially if it is watered overhead. Leave enough space between plants to encourage good air circulation and reduce watering during the winter months.
ground
Marjoram isn't picky when it comes to soil. It grows pretty well in most soil types as long as it drains freely. The ideal soil pH is between 6.5 and 7.5. If your garden soil is heavy, try growing marjoram in a container or raised bed.
Fertilize
Overfeeding foliage herbs can stimulate weak leggy growth and negatively affect the aroma and taste of the leaves. Young seedlings benefit from a poorly balanced liquid feed in late spring. Mature plants can be fed liquid seaweed during the summer months when the plants need a boost.
clipping
After flowering, the leaves of the marjoram plant develop a bitter taste. Source: glorund
The ideal times for pruning marjoram are as follows: in late spring, prune leaves and stems back to a branching leaf knot to develop bushy plants; Prune in midsummer to encourage fresh vegetative growth and prevent flowering, and prune all stems back to about 2 to 3 inches in fall to prepare the plant for winter.
For optimal taste, try not to let your marjoram plant bloom as this can add a bitter tinge to the leaves you harvest.
Multiplication
Grow sweet marjoram from seeds, cuttings, or divisions, or layered branches.
Start marjoram seeds indoors in the spring. Sow seeds in 1 cm deep compost. Keep the soil moist and at a constant temperature of 21 ° C. Germination should take about 7 days and once the seedlings emerge, they will continue to grow indoors in a bright, sunny spot. When all threats of frost are over and the seedlings are at least 2 to 3 inches tall, they can be hardened in preparation for planting outdoors.
Marjoram seeds can be sown directly in the garden after the last frost. Sow the seeds thinly in well-drained soil with a depth of 1 cm and water. As seedlings thin, to six inches, when they are a few inches, and then to 12 inches when the plants begin to fill.
Take cuttings from a healthy marjoram plant in early to mid-summer. Cut off about 4 inches of the top growth from non-flowering stems that cut just below a leaf knot. Strip off all leaves 5-6 cm from the bottom and place the stems in a prepared pot that contains a mixture of perlite / horticultural grain and potting soil. Place the pot in a propagator or cover it with a clear plastic bag to retain heat, moisture, and moisture. Air the cuttings every few days and check for signs of mold or rot. Roots should develop after 3-4 weeks. Carefully separate each new plant and pot individually. Harden as described above and plant a distance of 30 cm in the garden after the last frost.
Ripe marjoram plants can be divided in early spring. Dig around the plant with a spade and carefully lift the plant off the ground. The size of the system determines the number of departments. Share with a knife and plant in new places as soon as possible. Alternatively, divisions can be grown in a pot.
A sprawling marjoram plant can be easily layered by pinning a healthy outer branch to the ground, covering it with soil, and watering it regularly. In a few weeks, the layered stem will have rooted and can be cut from the mother plant and planted in its new home.
Harvesting and storing
Sometimes called sweet marjoram, this plant is a relative of oregano. Source: Hummingbird
Marjoram leaves can be picked regularly and used fresh or dried for a longer shelf life.
harvest
You can harvest marjoram leaves when the plants are around 5 to 6 inches tall. Give the plants time to recover between each harvest. Avoid ingesting more than a third of the plant at a time to ensure there is enough foliage to support regrowth.
storage
Fresh leaves can be wrapped in cling film or damp kitchen paper and stored in the refrigerator for a few days. The leaves can also be frozen and stored in a ziplock bag in the freezer and used when needed.
Marjoram is a great dried herb. Hang the bundles upside down in a dark, well-ventilated room to dry. After drying, crumble the leaves and store in an airtight container. For faster results, dry the leaves in a dehydrator.
Troubleshooting
Marjoram seeds itself if its flowers stay in place. Source: Barry Cornelius
Growing marjoram in the garden is pretty easy. Here are some tips on how to care for your plants and keep them looking healthy all season.
Growing problems
Problems growing marjoram are usually related to soil, light, water, or temperature. Heavy soils and pour too much leads to root rot and death of the plant. To avoid this, grow marjoram on freely draining soil in a sunny location and only water when the soil has dried out.
Marjoram is a tender perennial that can tolerate low temperatures but will not survive longer periods of frost. In northern regions, it is recommended to grow marjoram in pots that can be sheltered indoors over winter, or as an annual herb.
Pests
Aphids (Aphidoidea) feed on the sap of the new plant growth, dehydrate the plant, and damage leaves and buds. They also carry a variety of other plant diseases. Biological treatment by releasing beneficial insects that feed on aphids, such as ladybug larvae (Cococinella septempunctata). Or spray with a good organic insecticidal soap or neem oil. Squeezing aphids with your fingers or a quick jet of water can help reduce numbers.
Spider mite (Tetranychidae) Adults are reddish brown, live in large colonies on the underside of leaves, and thrive in hot, dry environments. You'll know if you have spider mites when you see fine webbing between leaves and stems. Plants also show signs of decline when the leaves turn yellow and fall off. They are resistant to most pesticide products on the market. Hence, it is best to remove and destroy the worst affected parts or entire plants to prevent the problem from spreading.
Diseases
Gray moldBotrytis cinerea is an airborne disease that can affect marjoram plants in mild, humid weather. Unhealthy or damaged plants are particularly vulnerable. Symptoms include wilting and brown / gray discoloration of leaves and stems with furry growth that contains spreading fungal spores. Affected branches can be removed, but this will create new wounds for the infection to reintroduce. Good plant management can help prevent gray mold, e.g. B. in the careful handling of plants during harvest. Remove leaves or other rotting debris; and providing adequate clearance to allow good air circulation.
mildew is a fungal disease that can attack marjoram in hot, humid and shady conditions. It grows as white, thick dust on the leaves, inhibits photosynthesis and hinders growth. The leaves eventually turn yellow and die.
To prevent powdery mildew, maintain good garden hygiene and remove infected leaves to prevent the disease from spreading and re-infecting in the years to come. Get enough sunlight and avoid conditions where the disease will thrive. Trim crowded areas to allow good air circulation. Spray an organic fungicide like sulfur, neem oil, or potassium bicarbonate before or at first sight.
Mushroom rust appears as yellow / orange spots on marjoram leaves that spread over wind or water droplets. Early treatment with a good organic fungicide can slow the spread of the disease, but it is generally difficult to treat. Infected plants should be pruned to ground level and the foliage destroyed.
frequently asked Questions
Q: is marjoram annual or perennial?
A: Marjoram is a tender perennial that is often treated as annual in colder northern climates.
Q: How long does it take to grow marjoram?
A: Grow marjoram from seeds and be ready to harvest in 70-90 days.
Q: Should you bloom marjoram?
A: Try not to let your marjoram plants bloom when you are ready to harvest the leaves. The leaves can taste bitter when they bloom. Harvest marjoram throughout the growing season and before flowering for the best flavor.
Q: is marjoram the same as oregano?
A: Although marjoram and oregano are from the same genus Origanum, they are completely different species. Marjoram, Origanum majorana and oregano, Origanum vulgare. They look the same, but have a different taste and aroma.
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