Marjoram
Sweet Marjoram, Knotted Marjoram, Pot Marjoram, Marjoram
Perennial in zones 9–10; grown as annual elsewhere. Related to oregano but with a sweeter, more delicate flavor. Needs well-drained soil and full sun. In cold climates, pot up before frost and overwinter indoors. Harvest before or just as flowers open for best flavor. Pinch growing tips to maintain bushy habit.
- Germination
- 8–21 days
- Soil temperature
- 18–24 °C
- Harvest after sowing
- 60–80 days
- Spacing
- 20–30 cm
When to plant marjoram
Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last spring frost, and plant out within 2 weeks after it.
Dashed line: typical last spring frost in zone 7 (Apr 5). Zone dates are averages; most of the UK is zone 8–9, central Europe 6–7 and the Baltics and Scandinavia 4–6. In the app, Tomatograph uses your garden's own frost dates.
How to grow marjoram
- 1
Sow indoors
Press seed onto the compost surface and keep warm, 6–8 weeks before the last frost. Germination takes 8–21 days.
- 2
Plant out
Plant after the last frost in full sun and free-draining soil.
- 3
Pinch
Pinch growing tips to keep plants bushy. Marjoram is only perennial in frost-free areas; elsewhere pot it up and bring it indoors before frost.
- 4
Harvest
Pick before or just as the flowers open for the sweetest flavour, from about 60 days after planting.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun
Water
Low water
Temperature
-5–32 °C
Frost tolerance
Frost-sensitive — protect below 0 °C
Days to maturity
60–90 days
Ideal soil pH
7.5–8
How Tomatograph watches your marjoram
Tomatograph checks your local forecast every morning and only speaks up when one of these applies to your garden.
- Forecast of 2 °C or lowerFrost alert the evening before: cover plants with fleece or bring pots inside.
- 3 days at 35 °C or aboveHeat-wave alert while plants are flowering or fruiting: shade and water early.
- Humidity above 80% for 48 hoursCheck for root rot, which thrives in those conditions.
- Within a week of maturityHarvest-window reminder based on when you planted.
Marjoram questions
- When should I plant marjoram?
- Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last spring frost, and plant out within 2 weeks after it.
- How long do marjoram seeds take to germinate?
- Usually 8–21 days at a soil temperature of 18–24 °C.
- How long until I can harvest marjoram?
- About 60–80 days after sowing, depending on variety and weather.
- How far apart should I plant marjoram?
- Allow 20–30 cm between plants.
- What grows well with marjoram?
- Good neighbours include oregano, basil, sage, vegetables.
Growing guide written by Tomatograph. Planting figures from openplantdb (CC0 1.0). Zone frost dates are averages from openplantdb (CC0 1.0).