🌿 How to Grow Marjoram from Seeds
Common Names:

• Hindi: मरुआ / मर्जोरम

• Tamil: மர்ஜோரம்

• Telugu: మర్జోరమ్

• Malayalam: മർജോറം

• Kannada: ಮರ್ಜೋರಮ್

• English: Marjoram

• Botanical name: Origanum majorana

1. Choose the Right Season

• Warm-season perennial herb (grown as annual in cold climates)

• Best time to sow:

  • February to April in India

  • After last frost in colder regions

• Ideal temperature: 18°C to 28°C

• Sensitive to frost and excessive moisture

2. Prepare the Soil

• Soil Type: Light, well-draining sandy or loamy soil

• pH Level: Slightly alkaline to neutral (6.5–7.5)

• Add compost or aged manure for nutrition

• Ensure good drainage to prevent root rot

3. Sow the Seeds

• Depth: Surface sow or press lightly (do not bury deeply)

• Spacing:

  • Garden: 8–10 inches between plants, 12 inches between rows

  • Containers: Use 6–8 inch deep pots, sow 3–4 seeds per pot

• Mist gently after sowing — seeds are very fine

• Cover with a thin layer of fine soil or vermiculite

4. Watering

• Keep soil lightly moist during germination

• After sprouting, water 1–2 times per week or when soil is dry

• Marjoram prefers drier conditions once mature

• Avoid overwatering — very prone to rot in soggy soil

5. Germination

• Germinates in 10–14 days

• Needs warm temperatures and good light to sprout

• Thin seedlings after 2–3 weeks, keeping strongest ones

6. Sunlight & Temperature

• Needs 6–8 hours of sunlight daily

• Prefers warm, dry weather

• Can tolerate partial shade but thrives in full sun

7. Fertilization

• Light feeders — apply compost or liquid organic fertilizer every 4–6 weeks

• Over-fertilizing reduces flavor and aroma

• Balanced NPK compost or vermicompost works well

8. Pest Control

• Common pests: Aphids, whiteflies, spider mites

• Use neem oil + soap spray every 10–15 days if pests appear

• Ensure proper spacing and airflow to avoid fungal issues

9. Harvesting

• Ready to harvest in 60–70 days

• Snip tender leaves and stems regularly to encourage new growth

• Best harvested before flowering for maximum flavor

• Can be dried for later use

10. Regrow Tip

• Regrows from cuttings and basal stems

• Can be propagated by division of mature plants

• In warm climates, grows year-round as a perennial

• Self-seeds if flowers are allowed to mature

🥗 Health Benefits of Marjoram

• Supports digestion and relieves gas and bloating

• Natural anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial herb

• Helps ease stress, menstrual cramps, and insomnia

• Used in traditional remedies for respiratory and joint pain