Origanum majorana

RHS Plant Profile
sweet marjoram

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sweet marjoram RHS

Other common names

garden marjoram, knotted marjoram, organs, organy, pot marjoram

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Herbs - Culinary Shrubs Herbaceous Perennial
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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

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Neutral or Alkaline

Position

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)
H2

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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
Turkey, Cyprus

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. This plant was included in the RHS Origanum (oregano and marjoram) trial 2022-2023 https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/trials-awards/plant-trial-results/origanum

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