Origanum majorana

‘Sweet Marjoram’

FAMILY: Oreganos

USES: Used for its attractive leaves, intense aromatic scent and flavour in herb or vegetable gardens. Usually used as a border plant and sometimes seen in window boxes and hanging baskets. Does well in pots, containers, semi shaded green walls and as a plant beneath shady trees.

SIZE: Grows 30 – 60cm tall with a 30 – 60cm spread. Fast growing.

LOCATION: Full sun to partial shade. Best in partial shade through the summer months. Does not do well in too much direct sun especially in the hotter interior regions. Does well in the higher altitudes of the GCC.

SOIL: Best in an organically enriched sandy to medium moisture retentive, free draining fertile soil with a pH 5.6 – 7.8, acidic to mildly alkaline. Leaves will yellow if soil is too alkaline or saline. Keep a check on the soil and make sure it doesn_Ót become too alkaline over time.

FERTILISER: Apply a light application of liquid 9:2:6 NPK with trace elements every two months to increase flowering, starting once flower buds have started to appear.

WATER: Keep soil moist, however does not accept over irrigation or waterlogging which will in turn will quickly lead to root rot.