Species marjoram
Purple flowers with buds, purple stems and green leaves.

marjoram

Origanum laevigatum 'Hopleys'

Marjoram (Origanum laevigatum 'Hopleys') is an aromatic, woody-stemmed, shrub-like perennial herb. It blooms in summer with tiny white flowers and small, delicate leaves, and has the scent of oregano. This hardy herb is deer and frost-resistant, and can be easily grown in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soils. Marjoram can be used dried or fresh in many dishes, with its flavor being described as sweet, spicy, and slightly peppery. The small, delicate leaves of this herb can also be used to make herbal teas or to perfume oils for beauty and aromatherapy products.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Cutting,Division,Layering Propagation,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

7 - 10

Flowers:

Purplish-pink Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Marjoram (Origanum laevigatum 'Hopleys') requires consistent watering from spring through fall. During these months, water the plant deeply twice a week. In late winter and early spring, water Marjoram just enough to keep the soil slightly moist. Avoid overwatering, as this can cause root rot and other diseases. During the hottest parts of the seasons, check the soil weekly and stick your finger in to make sure it is still moist. If it feels dry, give Marjoram a deep watering.

sunlight

Marjoram (Origanum laevigatum 'Hopleys') prefers a location in full sun, as it performs best in this environment. It requires at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight every day and prefers sustained sunlight throughout the day. Too much shade can lead to spindly growth or poor flowering, so it is best to plant the marjoram in a location that receives direct sun for most of the day. During the hottest months of the summer, some protection from intense afternoon sun may be beneficial to protect the plants from drying out too quickly and possible leaf burn.

pruning

Marjoram should be pruned annually, usually in mid to late spring. Depending on the desired outcome (whether 1 is looking for a bushier plant or a hedge), selective pruning can be done to shape the marjoram and promote new growth. Start by removing any dead, damaged, or diseased stems and leaves and then continue with the shaping, cutting out any branches that are overly long or have grown in an awkward direction. It is best to perform light pruning instead of drastic cuts as this will encourage denser growth. Additionally, if any flower heads are present, they should be removed as the marjoram puts most of its energy into flowering and will not produce new growth if flowering is allowed to continue.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Origanum laevigatum 'Hopleys' typically starts flowering in June.

Hardiness Map