How to grow Marjoram (Sweet)

Origanum majorana

🌿 Herb 🌱 Grown each year

A softer, sweeter cousin of oregano, lovely with tomatoes, meat and roasted vegetables. Grown as an annual in cool climates.

At a glance: Sow mid February to mid March, harvest from late April.

When to sow, plant and harvest

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Sow indoors

Plant

Harvest

Timed for a typical UK garden (last frost mid-April). The app uses your own town's frost dates.

Mid February – mid March · 8 weeks before the last spring frost
Sow Seeds Indoors
Sow in modules or small pots of seed compost in small pots on a bright windowsill. Barely cover the fine seed.
10–14 days after “Sow Seeds Indoors” · Late February – early March
Check Germination
Seedlings should appear in 10–14 days. Keep the compost moist. If sown outdoors, thin to 20 cm apart.
14–21 days after “Check Germination” · Mid March – late March
Pot On Seedlings
Move small clumps of seedlings into 9 cm pots (herbs are happy grown in little clumps).
Mid April · 4 days after the last spring frost
Harden Off
Stand plants outside by day for a week before planting out.
Late April – late May · 2 weeks after the last spring frost
Plant Out
Plant 20 cm apart in a sunny bed or a pot near the kitchen door. Water in.
46–67 days after “Check Germination” · Late April – mid May
Start Harvesting
Pick regularly — little and often keeps plants bushy. Take a photo for the journal.
21–35 days after “Start Harvesting” · Mid May – early June
Pinch Out Flower Buds
Pinch out flower buds for more leaves, or let some flower for the bees.
Mid October – early November · around the first autumn frost
End of Season
When plants run to seed or the frost gets them, pull them up for compost — leave a few to self-seed if you like.