sweet marjoram
Origanum majorana
RHS AGM 2023
USDA zones9 to 10
SunNeeds full sun (6+ hours)
WaterHandles dry to moderate soil
Size12 to 24 inches tall12 to 24 inches wide
- Habit
- Mounding
- Bloom season
- Summer
- Bloom color
- White to pale pink
- Foliage color
- Gray/silver, green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, chalk
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana) is an herb for borders, containers, and pollinator gardens. It grows outdoors year-round in USDA zone 9 and warmer, down to about 20°F (-7°C). In colder areas, grow it as a houseplant or bring it indoors for winter. This plant likes full sun and dry to average, sandy, loamy, or chalky soil. Deer and rabbits tend to browse other plants first. It forms a fragrant mound of gray and green leaves and bears white to pale pink flowers from early to late summer. Bees and butterflies visit the blooms.
Pairs well with Thyme, Rosemary, and Ellagance Purple lavender.
Native range
Cyprus and Türkiye.