Marjorams are easy to grow, sun-loving Mediterranean herbs. Theyre closely related to oregano and the two groups are easily confused. There is a lot of overlap between them and the distinction is often not clear. When it comes to cooking, the main difference is taste: oregano leaves are stronger and spicier, while marjoram leaves are milder and sweeter. All of them are types of Origanum, and they grow up to 50 cm (20 in) tall, with low, bushy mounds of fragrant leaves and round heads of small pink or white flowers in the summer. The flowers are very popular with bees and butterflies.
Marigold comes in a number of different species and varieties, each with its own taste, plant size, leaf color, flower color, and ability to handle cold weather. In general they need protection from wet cold winters. All of the RHS gardens have a lot of different herbs, like marjoram, that you can look at. Go there for more herb ideas and growing tips. For advice on choosing and growing all kinds of herbs, see our related guides below.
Marjoram is a versatile culinary herb that adds a sweet, woodsy flavor to many dishes. Growing marjoram from seed is an easy and rewarding way to add this Mediterranean herb to your garden or kitchen. With just a bit of patience and care, you’ll soon have a bountiful supply of homegrown marjoram leaves to harvest.
An Overview of Marjoram
Marjoram is a perennial herb in the mint family that is closely related to oregano. There are a few different varieties of marjoram, but the most common for culinary use is sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana). This tender perennial grows as a bushy plant about 12-18 inches tall and wide.
Marjoram has oval green leaves with a distinctive sweet spicy fragrance. Tiny white or pink flowers bloom on marjoram in summer. Both the leaves and flowers are edible.
This sun-loving Mediterranean herb thrives in hot, dry conditions. Marjoram adds depth and complexity to many foods, especially meats, sauces, and vegetables. It has an earthy, woodsy flavor with hints of balsam, citrus, and pine.
In addition to its culinary uses, marjoram has been used medicinally for its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and digestive benefits.
When to Sow Marjoram Seeds
Marjoram can be grown from seed sown directly outdoors in spring after the last frost, or started indoors 8-10 weeks before your last expected spring frost.
If sowing indoors, aim for late February to mid March. This gives the seedlings time to grow large enough to transplant outside later in spring.
How to Start Marjoram Seeds Indoors
Starting marjoram seeds indoors provides ideal conditions for germination and gives the plants a head start on the growing season. Here are step-by-step instructions:
Gather Your Supplies
- Marjoram seeds
- Seed starting mix
- Cell packs, pots, or trays with drainage holes
- Plastic dome or plastic wrap
- Grow lights or sunny windowsill
Prepare Cell Packs or Pots
Fill your chosen containers with moistened seed starting mix. Tap gently to settle the soil.
Sow the Seeds
Sow marjoram seeds by gently pressing them into the soil and covering with 1⁄4 inch of seed starting mix.
If using a cell pack or tray, space the seeds 1-2 inches apart. For individual pots, sow 2-3 seeds per pot.
Create a Humid Environment
Place your newly planted seeds in a plastic dome, under plastic wrap, or in a humid seed-starting chamber. This retains moisture while the seeds germinate.
Provide Warmth and Light
Keep your seeded containers at 70°F until germination. A heat mat can help maintain this temperature.
Once sprouted, move to a very bright, warm spot like a sunny windowsill or under grow lights. Keep lights 2-4 inches above the seedlings.
Wait for Germination
Marjoram seeds usually sprout within 14-21 days when conditions are right. Be patient!
Transplant Seedlings
When seedlings have 2-4 true leaves, transplant into larger cell packs or individual pots, taking care not to disturb the roots.
Harden Off
Over 7-10 days, gradually introduce seedlings to outdoor conditions – direct sun, wind, and cooler temperatures. This toughens them up for transplanting into the garden after the last spring frost.
How to Direct Sow Marjoram Outdoors
Marjoram can also be directly sown into the garden once spring temperatures have warmed up and all danger of frost has passed.
Choose a Sunny Spot
Select a location with full sun – at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Marjoram thrives in heat and dislikes wet soil.
Prepare the Soil
Make sure your soil is loose and well-draining. Dig in 1-2 inches of compost to enrich it. Rake smooth.
Sow the Seeds
Sow marjoram seeds 1⁄4 inch deep in rows or clusters, spacing 2 inches apart.
Label
Mark your rows/clusters so you remember what you planted!
Water Gently & Often
Water the area frequently to keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy as seeds germinate. Use a light spray to avoid washing away seeds.
Thin Seedlings
Once seedlings reach 2 inches, thin to 12 inches apart. This prevents overcrowding.
How to Care for Marjoram
Caring for marjoram properly will ensure your plants stay healthy and productive. Here are some key tips:
Watering
Marjoram prefers consistent moisture, but take care not to overwater. Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings. Drought tolerant once established.
Sunlight
Full sun is essential. At least 6 hours of direct sun per day.
Fertilizer
Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during spring and summer.
Pruning
Pinch or clip back flower stems to promote leafy growth. Remove damaged growth as needed.
Winter Care
In cold climates, potted marjoram should be brought indoors over winter. Even hardy varieties benefit from winter protection.
When and How to Harvest Marjoram
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Harvest marjoram leaves once plants reach about 6 inches tall.
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For best flavor, harvest before flowers appear.
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Cut tender stem tips or individual leaves as needed.
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Always leave some foliage intact for regrowth.
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Use kitchen shears for easy harvesting.
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Harvest in morning after dew dries for best flavor.
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Use fresh immediately or air dry leaves for storage.
Troubleshooting Common Marjoram Problems
Growing marjoram from seed is relatively trouble-free, but occasionally issues pop up. Here’s how to prevent and treat them:
Poor Germination
Cause – Old seeds, incorrect soil temperature, improper planting depth, overwatering
Solution – Sow fresh seeds at proper depth, ensure adequate warmth, avoid overwatering
Leggy Seedlings
Cause – Insufficient light
Solution – Provide brighter light, keep lights closer to plants
Yellow Leaves
Cause – Overwatering, poor drainage, nutritional deficiency
Solution – Allow soil to dry between waterings, amend soil with compost, fertilize
Wilting Plants
Cause – Underwatering, transplant shock, root rot
Solution – Water thoroughly when top inch of soil is dry, harden off seedlings before transplanting, improve drainage
Flowering Stage
Cause – Normal growth habit
Solution – Pinch back flowers to promote leafy growth, harvest leaves before flowers open
Storing Your Marjoram Harvest
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Air Drying – Hang fresh cut stems in cool, dry place out of light. Fully dry in 1-2 weeks then crumble leaves off stems.
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Freezing – Place leaves in single layer on baking sheet & freeze, then transfer to airtight bags/containers.
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Infused Oil – Pack leaves in jar, cover with olive oil. Infuse 3-6 weeks then strain.
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Vinegar – Steep leaves in vinegar 2-3 weeks. Strain & rebottle.
Dried or frozen marjoram will keep for months, infused oil & vinegar for up to a year stored properly.
Growing marjoram from seed is an easy way to add this flavorful herb to your garden. With the right care and conditions, you can have an abundant harvest of leaves to use fresh or preserve for future use in your favorite recipes. Get your seeds started now for a supply of homegrown marjoram this season!
What and where to buy
Origanum majorana seeds, such as those for sweet or knotted marjoram, can be bought in garden centers and online. Young plants are readily available in spring and summer from many plant retailers. Specialist herb nurseries offer the widest choice. It’s well worth buying plants in person, so you can choose your favourite aromas. (Some Origanum varieties are grown as ornamental rather than edible plants, including the oreganosO. Kent Beauty’ and O. Rosenkuppel’, so be sure to choose from the herb section when buying, if you want culinary plants. ).
Origanum vulgare Compactum Similar to French or pot marjoram, Compact is a smaller form with dense…The
Origanum French Along with Pot marjoram, this is one of the best hardy, standard culinary…The
Origanum vulgare Aureum There are several golden forms of culinary Marjorams, this is the original… The
Marigolds, both sweet and pot, can be grown from seeds inside, but most people buy them as young plants. You can get a lot of plants from seeds, but the seedlings need extra care and it takes longer for the plants to reach harvest size. Ready-grown plants are widely available, settle in quickly and you can start harvesting lightly almost straight away.
Sow marjoram seeds indoors in spring into small pots or modular trays filled with seed compost. There is no need to cover the tiny seeds. The seeds should sprout in one to two weeks if you keep them at least 15°C (60°F). See our step-by-step guide to sowing seeds indoors. When the seedlings are big enough to handle, move them to their own modules or put three of them in an 8-cm (3-in) pot of all-purpose compost. When there is no longer any chance of frost, move young marjoram plants outside when they are fully grown and their roots have filled up their module or small pot. Harden them off first to acclimatise them to outdoor conditions.
You can plant marjoram plants outside after the last frost in late spring or summer, whether you grew them from seeds or bought them. They need a warm, sunny, sheltered spot, either in well-drained soil or in a container. If you have poorly draining soil, plant in a raised bed or container, where drainage will be better. In poorly draining conditions the roots are liable to rot. If planting in a container, it should be at least 15cm (6in) wide for one young plant. Put in a mix of peat-free soil-based compost and coarse grit or perlite that doesn’t stick together (up to 25% by volume). You can also grow a mix of Mediterranean herbs or a few young marjorams in a bigger pot that is at least 30 cm (1ft) wide. Marjoram forms a spreading clump, so should be positioned 20–30cm (8–12in) from neighbouring plants. For full planting instructions, see our handy guides.
It’s easy to take care of marjoram. Just pick sprigs of young leaves often to encourage bushy new growth and cut back the flower stems when they’re done blooming.
Water newly planted marjoram regularly for at least its first summer. Marjoram is drought tolerant once established and shouldn’t need additional watering when growing in the ground. In containers, the compost can dry out rapidly, so water regularly over the summer.
Cover the plants with a thick layer of mulch in the spring, like gravel or garden compost. This will keep the soil from drying out when it gets hot.
Marjoram thrives in poor soil and doesn’t need feeding. You can, however, use liquid fertilizer on plants in pots in the spring and summer, especially if they need it after they flower.
How to grow Sweet Marjoram from Seed
FAQ
Is marjoram easy to grow from seed?
Does marjoram come back every year?
Should I soak marjoram seeds before planting?
Does marjoram like full sun or shade?
How do you plant marjoram seeds?
Sow marjoram seeds directly into the garden after the last frost, waiting one to two weeks to plant them. Sow seeds in groups of four every 12 inches or so into well-drained soil and water. When seedlings emerge, thin to the strongest seedling when they are a few inches tall.
Can you grow marjoram from seed?
Marjoram can be propagated well from seed and through root division. To propagate marjoram from seed, sow them indoors six weeks prior to the average last frost in your area. Alternatively, marjoram can be directly sown in the garden during the fall, or planted in the winter using a cold frame or a greenhouse.
How do you grow sweet marjoram?
Propagate sweet marjoram from seeds, cuttings, divisions, or layering branches. Early spring is the perfect time to start your collected seeds from the previous season. Start marjoram seeds indoors in early spring one to six to eight weeks before your last frost date. Sow seeds into compost a quarter inch deep.
When should you plant marjoram seeds?
Before you start sowing those marjoram seeds, you need to ensure they’re the right ones for your herb garden. Always opt for high-quality seeds from reliable suppliers. The ideal time to plant marjoram seeds is in the early spring, but if you’re growing indoors, you can start any time of the year!
Will a marjoram plant self-seed?
A marjoram plant left unmanaged will self-seed widely in the garden. Pruning flowering stems in summer will reduce the volume of flowers and seeds produced. You can also divide mature plants every few years to restrict the spreading root rhizomes and produce lots of free plants!
How long does it take for marjoram seeds to grow?
Start marjoram seeds indoors in early spring one to six to eight weeks before your last frost date. Sow seeds into compost a quarter inch deep. Keep soil moist and at a consistent temperature of around 70ºF (21ºC). Germination should take around 10 to 15 days. Once seedlings emerge, continue to grow indoors in a bright, sunny location.