Whether you garden in the ground, in raised beds, on the windowsill, or anywhere else, marjoram is a great addition or re-addition to your plant family. Read on for simple, straightforward specifics about growing marjoram.
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Family | Container Size | Good Companions | Bad Companions | Soil Conditions | Germination | Sun | Water | Temperature Range | Height | Lifespan | Reproduction | Ingestibility | Further Reading
What Family Does Marjoram Belong To?
Marjoram (Majorana hortensis) belongs to the Lamiaceae family, also known as the mint family.
Some of its relatives include oregano, thyme, and peppermint.
What Size Container Should I Use for Growing Marjoram?
The minimum container depth recommended for marjoram is 4 inches.
This makes it especially well-suited for windowsill gardening since many windowsill planters are not very deep.
Learn more in our Choosing the Right Planter for Your Container Garden article here.
What Are Good Companion Plants for Marjoram?
Some of marjoram's best companions are as follows:
- Stinging nettle
- Celery
- Corn
- Eggplant
- Onion
- Peas
- Potato
- Radish
- Basil
- Chives
- Parsley
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Thyme
- Kiwi
- Lavender
- Oregano
- Marigold
What Are Bad Companion Plants for Marjoram?
Marjoram is not compatible with every plant. Some things to avoid planting with marjoram are as follows:
- Cucumber
- Chard
- Watercress
- Marshmallow
What Soil Conditions Does Marjoram Need?
Marjoram prefers fertile, loamy, well-draining soil. Although it prefers a neutral (7.0) pH, it will tolerate a range of 4.9 to 8.7.
How Long Does Marjoram Take to Germinate?
Marjoram takes 1-3 weeks to germinate at a temperature of 55-70°F.
How Much Sun Does Marjoram Need?
Marjoram needs full sun.
Sun recommendations can vary by region, and marjoram grown in hot areas or in warmer conditions than the ideal temperature range noted below may need more shade.
How Much Water Does Marjoram Need?
Marjoram should be watered when the top 1 inch of soil is dry.
In many cases, this works out to about 1 inch of water per week. But it depends on climate and other factors. See our How Often to Water Plants article here for more information about watering amounts and frequency.
What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Growing Marjoram?
Marjoram grows fastest in temperatures of 50-70°F.
This is its ideal temperature range. Although it will grow in temperatures both cooler and warmer than this range, the growth could be slower or even stunted.
Minimum and maximum temperatures will vary by variety. Some marjoram varieties are bred for longer harvests and others for warmer climates.
How Tall Does Marjoram Get?
The average height of marjoram is 1-2 feet.
Is Marjoram Annual, Biennial, or Perennial?
Marjoram is a perennial herb, meaning that it lives for longer than a couple years, in Hardiness Zones 9 and above.
In other areas, it is typically grown as an annual, meaning that it starts and ends its life in the same year.
Read more about hardiness zones here.
How Does Marjoram Reproduce?
Marjoram reproduces by seed.
It can also reproduce from a cutting.
Can Marjoram Be Ingested?
Marjoram leaves are edible.
Marjoram leaves have carminative and anti-inflammatory properties and can be used in herbal preparations. The most common preparations are tea and tinctures. An herb:solvent weight ratio of 1:3 at 45% alcohol is suggested for a marjoram leaf tincture.
There are no known safety concerns associated with ingesting marjoram leaves.
Further Reading
This article is intended as a quick-reference guide for gardeners. Consult your seed packet or seed catalog for variety-specific information.
When you have a bumper crop of marjoram rolling in, you may not have enough time for long, complicated recipes or many-step preservation procedures. Check out my article on quick, simple uses for marjoram here!
Marjoram is featured in these Plant to Plate articles: