Marjoram

Planting marjoram

Start indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost, or set out transplants once nights are warm. Seed is fine and slow, so starts are the easier route.

Planting details

• Perennial only in mild winters; treat as an annual elsewhere
• Spacing: 8 to 12 inches
• Press seed into the surface; it needs light to germinate

Growing requirements

Marjoram needs full sun and lean, well-drained soil. Flavor is sweetest in plants that are not overfed or overwatered.

Harvesting and care

Harvest sprigs just before flowering, when flavor peaks. Cut the plant back after bloom and it often pushes a second flush of leaves.

Common mistakes

• Overwatering and heavy feeding, which dilute the flavor
• Confusing it with oregano in recipes; marjoram is milder and sweeter
• Leaving plants out through hard frost, which they rarely survive

Companion plants

Marjoram fits beside peppers, oregano, and thyme in the dry, sunny end of the herb bed.