Plant DetailShow Menu

Origanum majorana is often confused with:
Origanum vulgare Origanum vulgare
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Dianthus Flowers
Hyssopus officinalis Hyssopus officinalis
Rhododendron impeditum

Origanum majorana

Previously known as:

  • Majorana hortensis
Phonetic Spelling
oh-rih-GAY-num may-jor-AY-nah
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Plant this sub-shrub edible herb in well-drained neutral to alkaline soil in the full sun.  It prefers sandy loam and really needs good drainage to thrive.  It has excellent drought tolerance once established and heat tolerance making it a good choice for hot southern summers. It may not be cold tolerant however and so planting in containers that can be brought in to overwinter may be a good option. Plant in borders, along edges, in hanging baskets, or window boxes or mass along a slope.  To encourage more dense and bushy growth pinch or prune back stems before flowers appear in the summer.  Harvesting leaves before the flowers bloom will ensure the best flavor.  It has a more mild flavor than O. vulgare.   Flowers have a sweet, spicy flavor and are used in soups, stews, dressings, and sauces.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems but it will rot in poorly-drained, saturated soils.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Compactum'
'Compactum'
Tags:
#purple#drought tolerant#fragrant leaves#hanging baskets#window boxes#edging#dye plant#deer resistant#edible garden#gray-green leaves#HS302#problem for cats#problem for dogs#wilson mg plant sale 2021#container plant#patio#herb garden
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Compactum'
'Compactum'
Tags:
#purple#drought tolerant#fragrant leaves#hanging baskets#window boxes#edging#dye plant#deer resistant#edible garden#gray-green leaves#HS302#problem for cats#problem for dogs#wilson mg plant sale 2021#container plant#patio#herb garden
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Origanum
    Species:
    majorana
    Family:
    Lamiaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Plant tops can be used to make a yellow dye.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Leaf Cutting
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Mediterranean and Turkey
    Wildlife Value:
    Provides late-season nectar for bees.
    Edibility:
    Leaves and flowers in tea, flavoring. Sweet spicy flavor. Used for soups, stews, dressings and sauce. Harvest before flowers bloom and use fresh or dried.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Herb
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Mounding
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Lipped
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    Bracts
    fused petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Tiny white or pale pink two-lipped tubular flowers with bracts at the base appear on spikes in late summer July-August
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Fragrant
    Good Dried
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Ovate, opposite, hairy, highly fragrant 1 1/4" long
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Square
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Hairy square stems with burgundy streaks
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Patio
    Pool/Hardscape
    Rock Wall
    Slope/Bank
    Small Space
    Landscape Theme:
    Edible Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Vomiting and diarrhea
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Gastrointestinal irritants
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No