Sweet Marjoram Origanum majorana
Other Common Name(s):
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:
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- 'Compactum'
- 'Compactum'
- 'Compactum'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Compactum'
- 'Compactum'
- 'Compactum'
- Tags:
-
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herb
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Mounding
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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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
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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
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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
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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
- Diseases
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heat
- Insect Pests
- Poor Soil
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
