Find out how to grow marjoram, a highly valued herb that is used across the whole of Europe.
RB Plant in Albenga has different lines with marjoram in their range, including Sunny heRBS and AROMA.
Here are our tips for successfully growing marjoram.
Grow your own marjoram and add extra flavour to your dishes: an herb with a multitude of culinary uses that can be found in different RB Plant lines.
On its own or combined with other herbs, this species is “related” to oregano; it’s botanical name is in fact Origanum Majorana and it belongs to the Lamiaceae family together with rosemary, thyme and basil.
Marjoram is a bushy perennial shrub with small leaves and its flowering season is identified by the appearance of little pink flowers.
Although the plant loses its leaves during the winter, it does not die and will return to full growth with the arrival of spring.
Marjoram leaves can be used both fresh and dried, and their scent and flavour are a lighter and more delicate version of those of oregano.
Growing marjoram is simple if you follow our advice. Keep on reading!
Growing marjoram: climate, watering, parasites and soil
Like most Mediterranean plants, marjoram prefers a milder climates and thrives in sunny positions.
If its growing spot is too cold, marjoram can be protected by applying mulch or other covering material. In these conditions, it is a good idea to prune the plant in autumn.
This herb does not have any special watering requirements; while it is still young, it should be watered at regular intervals but once it is fully developed it should only be watered in particularly dry periods.
A light pruning between January and February is an excellent way of obtaining young vigorous stalks, unless you live in a cold area in which case a harsher pruning is required to protect the plant.
Marjoram is excellent at repelling insect and parasite pests from the vegetable patch and is therefore ideally planted in open soil. Marjoram grown in pots on the patio or window shelf will do equally well however.
If you decide to grow marjoram in a pot, make sure that the pot is large enough and that the soil is made up of either a mix of sand and peat or a rich compost.
Marjoram in the kitchen
The youngest marjoram leaves are used in the kitchen so only the tips of the stalks should be harvested.
If you intend to dry your marjoram, you can harvest the entire stalk so that they can be hung for drying.
Marjoram is excellent for adding flavour to meat dishes or tomato sauces and is often found as the principal ingredient in Mediterranean style mixed spices.
Do you like the taste of Marjoram? Do you like to use herbs in your cooking?
Click here to view our video recipe and follow Sunny heRBs on Instagram or Facebook!
