Marjoram - Origanum majorana

<tc>Marjoram - Origanum majorana</tc>
    €2,00 EUR
    €2,50 EUR
    €4.000,00 EUR kg
    Price plus shipping
    Delivery time: 1-2 business days (PT – international may vary)

    In stock

    Traditional cultivation method & heirloom variety. Genetically stable & open-pollinated - 100% free from hybrid breeding, GMOs, and synthetic fertilizers. Organically propagated - Non-proprietary variety.

    Local pickup at Benjis Seeds

    Pickup Instructions
    Bohnensamen2

    Harvest year:

    2024

    Seed viability:

    3 years (species-specific)
    Detailed information on germination capacity

    Description

    Cultivation & Characteristics

    Tips & Reviews

    Marjoram – aromatic culinary herb with a mild, slightly sweet flavor. 

    This traditional spice and medicinal plant is characterized by its mild, sweet-spicy flavor, fine aroma, and rich essential oils. It is ideally suited for cultivation in open ground, greenhouses, or containers, and is perfect for self-sufficiency and organic gardening.

     

      Origin & History

    Marjoram originally comes from the eastern Mediterranean region and Asia Minor and is considered one of the classic Mediterranean culinary herbs. The name “marjoram” derives from the Latin “amaracus.” Even in antiquity, it was valued as both a medicinal and culinary herb. The Greeks and Romans used it not only in the kitchen but also as a symbol of happiness and joy. Other early cultures likewise associated it with ritual practices.

    Marjoram is especially valued for its mild aroma and its high content of essential oils such as terpinene and carvacrol, which promote digestion and have antispasmodic effects. This clearly distinguishes it from oregano and makes it regarded as the finer culinary herb.

    To this day, it is the typical spice for sausages, potato dishes, and hearty stews.

     

     Appearance & Characteristics

    Marjoram forms compact, bushy plants with small, velvety leaves and white to pinkish flowers that attract many insects. Its shallow root system also makes it suitable for pot cultivation.

    Plant details:

    • Height: Compact, approx. 20–50 cm

    • Form: Bushy, branched

    • Leaves: Small, oval, gray-green with fine hairs

    • Flowers: White to pink, arranged in panicles

    • Flavor: Mildly spicy, sweetly aromatic – loses aroma when overheated

     

     Usage & Cultivation Highlights

    Marjoram is ideal for sausages, potato dishes, stews, soups, and herb butter. Its essential oils make it versatile – both as a spice and as a medicinal plant. The flowers are also a valuable source of nectar for bees.

    The plant grows reliably in open ground, greenhouses, and pots. It prefers sunny locations and well-drained, humus-rich soils. Important: keep evenly moist, avoid waterlogging.

    Compared to oregano, marjoram is milder and sweeter in taste – ideal for garden lovers who appreciate a fine Mediterranean herb.

    Cultivation_Overview_-_Anbau_im_Uberblick_-_Visao_geral_do_cultivo_-_www

    Origin & Cultivation at a Glance

    First mention:

    1st century AD

    Breeder:

    Unknown – heritage variety

    Origin:

    Eastern Mediterranean and Asia Minor

    Propagation site:

    Lower Saxony – Germany

    Suitable for:

    Open field, Greenhouse, Polytunnel, Cold frame, Raised bed, Balcony / pot, Urban gardening, Vertical cultivation, Plant towers or tiered systems, Rock garden

    Care requirements:

    Low – easy to care for, ideal for beginners.

    Overwintering:

    Not winter-hardy – perennial only under protected cultivation.

    Suitability for cultivation and use:

    Early crop, Summer crop, Peak season, Self-sufficiency, Biodiversity, Variety conservation, Educational projects / School garden, Direct marketing, Ornamental variety, Fresh consumption, Processing
    Plant_Growing_Instructions_-_Pflanzen_Anbau-Anleitung_-_Instrucoes_de_cultivo_de_plantas_-_www

    Cultivation guide for

    <tc>Marjoram</tc>

    Growing difficulty:

    Easy
    • In subtropical climates, sow from March in sunny locations - pre-culture possible from January.
    • In temperate regions, sow in full sun from mid-May after the last frost – pre-cultivation from March recommended.
    • Sowing in well-drained, humus-rich and nutrient-rich loamy soil. Light germinator – do not cover with soil. Plant spacing: 25 × 30 cm.

    Special features:

    Quickly usable, Fast-growing, High-yielding, Resilient, Low-maintenance, Sun-loving / sunny, Heat-tolerant, Drought-tolerant

    Cultivation tips:

    • Cut the shoots just before flowering – this is when the essential oil content is at its highest.
    • Do not cut the plant completely down to the ground, but only harvest the upper shoots. This way it will sprout again and allow for multiple harvests throughout the season.
    • Bring pots indoors or into the greenhouse in autumn – this way the season can be significantly extended.

    Storage instructions:

    Store seeds in a cool, dry, dark, and airtight environment to maximize shelf life and germination.
    Detailed information on seed storage
    Plant_Profile_-_Pflanzen_Steckbrief_-_Ficha_da_planta_-_www

    Plant Profile

    Plant details

    Botanical name:

    <tc>Origanum majorana L.</tc>

    Growth habit:

    Upright growth, Bushy, Compact

    Botanical family:

    Lamiaceae

    Plant height:

    50 cm

    Plant type:

    Culinary herbs, Perennial herbaceous plant

    Plant width:

    45 cm

    Life cycle:

    Perennial (grown as an annual), Long-lived

    Root type:

    Shallow-rooted

    Cultivation period:

    6-12+ months

    Hardy to:

    0 °C - tolerable for a short time, but not winter-hardy.

    Cultural meaning:

    Historical, Traditional

    Propagation method:

    Generative propagation by seed, Propagation by cuttings in summer, Division possible in spring

    Propagation:

    • This variety is cross-pollinated by insects and belongs to the species Origanum majorana.
    • For seed production, a minimum distance of 100–150 m from other oregano varieties is recommended, as cross-pollination by insects is likely.
    • This perennial plant produces branched inflorescences with numerous small, well-ripening seeds after summer flowering.
    • Seeds are ready for harvest once the seed heads are fully dried and slightly brittle.

    Sowing & Planting

    Germination

    Planting

    Germination type:

    Light germinator, Warm germinator

    Pot culture:

    Requires a minimum container size of 5 liters.

    Sowing depth:

    0 cm

    Plant spacing:

    25 cm

    Germination temperature:

    18-22 °C

    Row spacing:

    30 cm

    Germination time:

    10-21 days

    Row spacing for baby leaf:

    Not suitable for baby-leaf cultivation.

    Pricking out / thinning out:

    3-4 weeks, thin out after formation of the first true leaf pairs.

    Planting time:

    Only once the soil is frost-free Transplanted seedlings can be planted outdoors about 3 weeks after pricking out.

    Soil

    Soil type:

    Well-drained, humus-rich sandy loam soil

    Soil pH:

    5.6-6.4 - slightly acidic to neutral

    Nutrient requirements:

    Medium feeder

    Soil moisture:

    Moderately moist, Adaptable, Sensitive to waterlogging

    Soil preparation:

    Loosen soil before sowing, Apply compost before planting., Apply lime to acidic soil., Prepare soil weed-free and with a fine crumb structure., Mulch layer for moisture regulation

    Companion planting, Crop rotation & Harvest

    Companion plants:

    Tomato, Pepper / Chili pepper, Thyme, Rosemary, Sage, Lavender, Calendula, Tagetes

    Incompatible plants:

    Parsley, Basil, Chives, Coriander, Mint, Lemon Balm, Brassicas, Celery

    Crop rotation guidelines:

    • Ideal previous crops include legumes, onions, root vegetables, and green manure – rotating crops supports healthy soil.
    • Perennial – remains in place for several years. Avoid direct crop succession with other Lamiaceae species. After cultivation, allow at least 3 years before replanting related herbs.
    • Crop rotation with low-nutrient-demanding plants is recommended to prevent soil fatigue and maintain healthy growing conditions.
    • Plan a green manure crop between heavy-feeding plants and this tomato variety to restore soil fertility.
    • Avoid planting directly after heavy-feeding crops – allow the soil to recover and replenish nutrients first.

    Harvest time:

    Summer

    Sowing to harvest:

    2-3 months

    Harvested parts:

    Leaves, Flowering shoot tips

    Suitable for consumption:

    Yes - edible raw or cooked.

    Intended use:

    Diet cuisine, Low Carb, Culinary herb, Natural garden, Pollinator plant, Companion perennial, Fragrant plant, Raw consumption, Salad, Steaming, Cooking, Roasting, Grilling, Baking, Drying / Dehydrating, Freezing, Preserving

    Care & Cultivation practices

    Water requirements:

    Moderate

    Plant care techniques:

    Thin out after germination when sown directly, Irrigate occasionally, Loosen and hoe, Fertilize, Maintain weed-free, Inspect regularly for pest infestation

    Plant protection:

    Frost protection required, Well-ventilated location and good drainage recommended., Check early for aphids.

    Cultivation notes:

    Proven and easy to cultivate Can be infested by aphids - occasional monitoring recommended. May develop mildew in damp weather – an airy location is recommended. Sensitive to waterlogging – use well-drained soil.

    Other names

    EN - English names:

    • Marjoram • Sweet marjoram • Knotted marjoram

    DE - German names:

    • Majoran • Wurstkraut • Gartenmajoran • Badkraut • Gartendost • Mairan • Meiran • Mairon

    PT - Portuguese names:

    • Manjerona

    ES - Spanish names:

    • Mejorana • Mayorana • Mejorama • Amáraco

    FR - French names:

    • Marjolaine
    Practical_Planting_and_Care_Tips_-_Praktische_Aussaat-_und_Pflegetipps_-_Dicas_praticas_de_sementeira_e_cuidados_-_www

    Practical sowing and care tips

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