Marjoram Plant


Marjoram Plant

The marjoram is a herbaceous plant that has been used for millennia for its interesting properties, as well as being very decorative. The soft touch of its leaves and its beautiful white flowers make it a more than recommended option to beautify the patios, the terraces, the balconies and, why not, also the gardens.

Its cultivation is suitable for beginners, since the marjoram is very resistant to pests and does not require any special care . But still, there are things that are a secret for many people, who do not finish daring to take a pot to their house. After reading this article, surely that distrust will have disappeared.

ORIGANUM MAJORANA

marjoram Plant Care

The marjoram, whose scientific name is Origanum majorana , is a perennial shrubby plant native to India and the Middle East, although already in antiquity it spread throughout the Mediterranean, including Egypt, Rome and Greece. It grows to an approximate height of 60cm, with very branched stems. The leaves are opposite, entire, oval and petiolate, and are tomentose, that is, they are covered by a thin whitish color.

The flowers appear grouped in terminal clusters, that is, when they wither, the stem that held them also dies. These are very small, less than 1cm in diameter, and have four tomentose bracts. The calyx is white, pink or purple, and there is to add that it is a melliferous plant .

Once they are pollinated, the fruit begins to mature and take the form of a quadrangular achene, which will be brown when it finishes its ripening process, which will occur more or less towards autumn if the climate is warm or temperate.

How do you take care of yourself?

If you want to have an marjoram in your home or garden, take note of these tips:

Location

Place this plant in an area where sunlight directly or, failing that, in a very bright place , if possible on the outside, although it can grow well indoors with lots of light.

It supports frosts of up to -3ºC .

Irrigation

Watering must be frequent and regular. During the warmer months, it will be watered up to 4 times per week, while the rest of the year will be up to a maximum of 3 times. The frequency will vary depending on the climate in which the plant lives: the drier and warmer, the more often the irrigation will have to be.

That is, you have to try to avoid waterlogging, because he does not like to have “wet feet”. To do this, in case of doubt, check the moisture of the substrate or soil by inserting a thin stick of wood to the bottom and then see if it has come out practically clean, which would mean it is dry, or with much dirt adhered.

Fertilization

Subscribing is, like irrigation, one of the most important tasks for plants, including marjoram, especially if they are in pots. The nutrients that there are in the ground or in the substrate little by little are disappearing, reason why it is necessary to give them an extra contribution of ‘food’ so that they can continue growing.

Add your marjoram in spring and summer with organic fertilizers , such as manure or earthworm humus, since being a plant that can be used for human consumption, we should not put our health at risk.

Transplant

Whether you want to go to the garden or a new pot, which you must do every two years, you can transplant it in the spring , after the risk of frost has passed.

Propagation

You can get new copies by buying an envelope of seeds in spring, and planting them in that same station either directly on the ground or in pots . You just have to cover them with a little soil, enough for the wind can not take them, and water. Germinate in a maximum of two weeks keeping the area or container moist.

Harvest

After flowering, you can trim several stems to about 4-5cm high above the ground . Place them on a wood, in a ventilated place and with a temperature lower than 23ºC, until they dry. Once they have dried, they can be stored in sealed glass jars for one year.

Uses of marjoram

The marjoram is used as an ornamental, as a culinary or edible plant or as medicinal for its interesting properties.

Ornamental plant

It is one of those plants that most like to have in the patios and balconies, as it occupies almost nothing of place and also its flowers are very decorative. To everything said so far, we must add that its leaves give off a very pleasant aroma , so cultivating it at home is one of the best decisions we can make ????.

Edible plant

The leaves and their flower stems are used a lot to complete many dishes, such as pasta dishes , tomato salads , chicken sandwiches , or even as an appetizer along with anchovies seasoned with lemon juice and olive oil .

ORIGANUM MAJORANA

Medicinal plant

The marjoram is used above all to relieve and / or treat digestive disorders such as stomach ulcers, intestinal spasms or cramps. But not only that, but it has antibacterial properties , and it can also be used to relieve the symptoms of cold and flu , such as antioxidant , antidiabetic and anticarcinogenic .

It can be used both in infusion (5 grams of leaves per 250 ml of water for five times a day), or in the form of essential oil that you will find for sale in herbalists.

The marjoram is one of the most special plants you can grow in a pot.

Don Burke

I am Don Burke, one of the authors at My Garden Guide.  I am a horticulturist that cultivates, grows, and cares for plants, ranging from shrubs and fruits to flowers. I do it in my own garden and in my nursery. I show you how to take care of your garden and how to perform garden landscaping in an easy way, step by step.I am originally from Sydney and I wrote in local magazines. Later on, I have decided, more than two decades ago, to create my own blog. My area of specialization is related to orchid care, succulent care, and the study of the substrate and the soil. Therefore, you will see many articles dedicated to these disciplines. I also provide advice about how to improve the landscape design of your garden.

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