Pollinator plant

Sweet Marjoram

Origanum majorana

Linked agroforestry plant data
Pollinator recipe
Sign in to use recipes

Common names

32 names · 23 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Knotted Marjoram[1]
  • Marjoram[1]
  • Pot Marjoram[1]
+1 more nameShow fewer names
Other languages (22)
Dutch
  • Echte marjolein[2][4]
  • Worstkruid
French
Asturian
Catalan
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Czech
  • majoránka zahradní[4]
Estonian
  • aedmajoraan[4]
  • vorstirohi[4]
Finnish
  • maustemeirami[4]
German
Greek
  • Ματζουράνα[4]
Hebrew
  • מיורן (אזובית תרבותית)[4]
Hindi
  • मरवा[4]
  • मरुआ[4]
Hungarian
Italian
Japanese
  • マジョラム[4]
Portuguese
Russian
  • Майоран садовый[4]
Slovak
  • majorán záhradný[4]
Spanish
Swedish
Turkish
  • Mercanköşk[4]
Sources & name notes (4)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Origanum majorana — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Sweet Marjoram — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(4); heading: Common Name(s):; Origanum majorana.
  • Knotted Marjoram — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Origanum majorana.
  • Marjoram — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Origanum majorana.
  • Pot Marjoram — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Origanum majorana.
[2] Origanum majorana — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Sweet Marjoram — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 165925; Origanum majorana.
  • Echte marjolein — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 165925; Origanum majorana.
  • Marjolaine — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 165925; Origanum majorana.
  • Majoran — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 165925; Origanum majorana.
  • Mejorana — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 165925; Origanum majorana.
  • Maggiorana — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 165925; Origanum majorana.
  • Origano maggiorana — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 165925; Origanum majorana.
  • Manjerona — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 165925; Origanum majorana.
[3] Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Origanum majorana ↗

Common names from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. License: CC BY.

Source records
  • Sweet marjoram (EN) — VernacularName.tsv, line 159702; taxon 74TMF.
  • Garten-Majoran (DE) — VernacularName.tsv, line 159701; taxon 74TMF.
[4] Origanum majorana — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Sweet Marjoram — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 165925; Origanum majorana.
  • Echte marjolein — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 165925; Origanum majorana.
  • Marjolaine — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 165925; Origanum majorana.
  • Majoran — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 165925; Origanum majorana.
  • Mejorana — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 165925; Origanum majorana.
  • Maggiorana — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 165925; Origanum majorana.
  • Origano maggiorana — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 165925; Origanum majorana.
  • Manjerona — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 165925; Origanum majorana.
  • majoránka zahradní — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 165925; Origanum majorana.
  • aedmajoraan — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 165925; Origanum majorana.
  • vorstirohi — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 165925; Origanum majorana.
  • maustemeirami — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 165925; Origanum majorana.
  • almoradus — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 165925; Origanum majorana.
  • マジョラム — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 165925; Origanum majorana.
  • Ματζουράνα — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 165925; Origanum majorana.
  • Mercanköşk — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 165925; Origanum majorana.
  • mejram — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 165925; Origanum majorana.
  • 馬鬱蘭 — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 165925; Origanum majorana.
  • Майоран садовый — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 165925; Origanum majorana.
  • מיורן (אזובית תרבותית) — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 165925; Origanum majorana.
  • majoranna — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 165925; Origanum majorana.
  • 墨角兰 — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 165925; Origanum majorana.
  • 甘牛至 — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 165925; Origanum majorana.
  • मरवा — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 165925; Origanum majorana.
  • मरुआ — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 165925; Origanum majorana.
  • majorán záhradný — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 165925; Origanum majorana.
  • Marduix — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 165925; Origanum majorana.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Origanum majorana is an accepted species in Catalogue of Life.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1]
Botanical family
Lamiaceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Mature height
0.3–0.61 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Mature spread
0.3–0.61 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Plant habit
Dense; Mounding; Multi-stemmed; Spreading

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Life cycle
Annual; Perennial

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Medium

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage; Occasionally Dry

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Summer

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Reported wildlife attraction
Listed as attracting: bees.

NC State Extension profile. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.

Sources [2]
Pollinator guidance
RHS includes Origanum species in its Plants for Pollinators guidance.

Genus-level guidance, not a rating for this individual species or a particular cultivar. RHS planting guidance. Choose accessible flowers with pollen and nectar; reduced-resource and double-flowered forms may be unsuitable.

Sources [3]
Native range
S. Türkiye, Cyprus.

Explicit native locality records in Kew WCVP v16; introduced and doubtful distributions excluded. Continent conversion follows the documented geographic mapping.

Sources [4]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

Low suitability
Nectar value Low
Pollen value Unknown
Agroforestry database

Complete plant information

Open full plant profile

Structure

Vegetation layer
Herbaceous, Ground cover
Size
Small
Dimensions
0.60 m high × 0.60 m wide
Lifecycle
Perennial

Site conditions

USDA hardiness
6-9
Moisture
Well-drained, Moist
Soil
Sandy, Loamy, Clay
pH
Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Light
Partial shade, Sun

Uses

Edible parts
Leaves, Tea, Seasoning
Functions
Dye, Essential oil, Pollinator plant, Fragrant
Edibility
3 out of 5
Medicinal value
3 out of 5

Leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. Marjoram is popular as a flavoring in salad dressings, vegetable dishes, legumes, and oils. It has a subtler flavor than its close relative oregano (Origanum vulgare) and is best used fresh, preferably added at the end of the cooking time. The fragrant seeds are often used as a flavoring in candies, drinks, and more. Fresh or dried leaves can be used to make an herbal tea. The flavor is compared to a mix of thyme, rosemary, and sage.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Origanum majorana — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 2554577; ID 74TMF; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 2554577; ID 74TMF; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Origanum majorana — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: Mature heightMature spreadPlant habitLife cycleGrowth rateLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering seasonReported wildlife attraction
    Relevant sections
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Horticultural Society RHS Plants for Pollinators — Garden Plants

    RHS planting guidance; applicable flower-form restrictions are retained. General recommendations do not measure local nectar or pollen production.

    Supports: Pollinator guidance
    Relevant sections
    • Pollinator guidance: Page 4, column 2, entry Origanum species (top 277 pt)

    Source checked on .

  4. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Origanum majorana — Kew WCVP native distribution

    Native distribution and taxonomic treatment from the official WCVP v16 export (4 June 2026). The link opens the corresponding POWO taxon. Source rows are retained in the native-range audit archive.

    Supports: Native range
    Relevant sections
    • Native range: WCVP v16; wcvp_names.csv lines 129374; wcvp_distribution.csv native locality lines 190285, 190286

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.