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Herbs - CulinaryShrubsHerbaceous Perennial

Origanum majorana

sweet marjoram

An upright, tender perennial sub-shrub, 30-50cm tall, often grown as an annual or biennial; with aromatic, oval, softly hairy, edible grey-green leaves 1.5cm long and 1cm wide. Small, tubular, white flowers are held on wiry, somewhat feather-like stems in summer. Recommended in culinary circles for its flavour

Other common names

garden marjoram
knotted marjoram
see moreorgans
organy
pot marjoram

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Loam

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Neutral, Alkaline

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Lamiaceae
Native to the UK: No
Foliage: Semi evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Origanum may be herbaceous perennials or deciduous or evergreen sub-shrubs, with aromatic foliage and spikes of small tubular flowers usually with conspicuous bracts
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Mediterranean

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained soil in a sheltered, sunny position. This variety is frost-tender so in colder areas, may need protection from very low temperatures and excess winter wet. Also suitable for growing in containers that can be overwintered in an unheated greenhouse. For more advice see oregano cultivation. See rhs.org.uk/trials-awards

Propagation

Propagate by seed, or by division or basal softwood cuttings in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Wildlife gardens
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Cut back old flower stems in early spring

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and red spider mite

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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