Marjoram is an aromatic herb that belongs to the mint family. It is native to the Mediterranean region and has a sweet, spicy, and slightly bitter flavor. The leaves are oval-shaped, greenish-gray in color, and have a soft, velvety texture. The flowers are small and white, and the plant can grow up to a foot in height. Marjoram is often used as a culinary herb, as well as in aromatherapy and herbal medicine. It is known to have anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antispasmodic properties, and is used to treat a variety of ailments, including digestive issues, respiratory problems, and headaches.
Planning Your Garden With Marjoram
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Marjoram is a perennial. |
| USDA Zone | Marjoram is hardy in USDA Zones 5-9. |
| Cold Tolerance | Marjoram is frost-tolerant and can tolerate temperatures down to 25. |
| Days to harvest | The minimum number of days to harvest marjoram is usually around 60 days. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown marjoram plant is 12-18 inches tall and 12-18 inches wide. |
| Spacing requirements | Marjoram prefers well-drained, loamy soil and should be planted in an area with full sun and spaced 12-18 inches apart. |
| Sun tolerance | Marjoram is a sun-loving herb that thrives in full sun or partial shade. It can tolerate temperatures as low as 10°F (-12°C), but it will not survive a hard frost. |
| Shade tolerance | Marjoram is tolerant of both full sun and partial shade. It prefers at least six hours of direct sunlight each day, but can tolerate some shade. |
| Water requirements | Marjoram prefers a soil that is evenly moist but not soggy. It should be watered when the top inch of soil is dry. It is important to not let the soil dry out completely, as this will cause the plant to become stressed. Marjoram also prefers high humidity, so a humidifier or misting the leaves with water can help to keep the plant happy. |
| Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer you should use when growing marjoram depends on the type of fertilizer you are using and the soil conditions. Generally, a light application of a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 should be applied at the beginning of the growing season and then again after the plant has been established. It is important to follow the instructions on the fertilizer package for the correct application rate. |
| Soil pH | The optimum pH for growing marjoram is 6.0 to 7.0. |
Why Marjoram is Popular
People like to grow marjoram because it is easy to grow, is a versatile herb, and adds a unique flavor to dishes. Marjoram can be used fresh or dried in a variety of recipes and has a mild, sweet flavor that is similar to oregano. It can be used to season meats, vegetables, salads, soups, and sauces. Marjoram is also known for its medicinal properties, such as being a natural antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and diuretic.
Companion Plants For Marjoram
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for marjoram include:
Common Pests For Marjoram
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow marjoram, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- leafhoppers
- thrips
- aphids
- whiteflies
- spider mites
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
