Comune

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Lamiaceae or Labiatae

Order

Lamiales

Genus

Origanum

Species

majorana

Description

Herbaceous perennial plant with a bushy habit and abundant branching, appreciated in gastronomy, cosmetics and herbalism for its leaves with a characteristic spicy flavour in balance with its fresh taste, more delicate than oregano.

It can be grown both in beds and in pots and prefers mild climates with full sun exposure in well-draining soils free from waterlogging.

Variety description

It is a hardy perennial plant that prefers mild climates and full sun exposures. It is particularly important to cultivate it in well-drained soil and to prune it carefully at flowering time, which occurs in the summer. Marjoram is not overgrown and has a typical bushy, upright growth habit and lends itself to many uses. The edible part, i.e. the leaves, has a strong and particularly spicy aroma that makes it particularly popular with consumers.

Curiosities and special features

Marjoram leaves are consumed, both raw and dried, as a spice to flavour a multitude of traditional Italian dishes as evidenced by recipes dating back to the 14th century; similar to oregano but with a more delicate taste, they are widely used in salads, meat or fish dishes, fillings, pies and soups.

In addition, the leaves are used for the preparation of preserves, decoctions, liqueurs, essential oils and in cosmetics as a fragrance in creams, detergents and soaps; in Italy, dried leaves are often placed in cotton bags to perfume laundry.

Origin and distribution

A species native to central Asia and the desert areas of northern Africa, it is now present throughout Italy where it is cultivated as an aromatic plant.

Flower size

The single flower is medium-sized, united in the largest inflorescence.

Leaf

The spicy-tasting leaves have an oval lamina, covered with light down.

Fruit

The leaf contains no seeds and has a tender texture with uniform colouring. The peel is not edible, while the product is available all year round. From a sensory point of view, the flavour is herbaceous, spicy and sweetish, with a penetrating aroma and a fresh, delicate taste. In terms of quality, the leaf has a good shelf life and is of good quality overall; it is a variety with good organoleptic characteristics.

Flowering period

It flowers from mid- to late summer for a duration of 25 to 30 days.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence panicle.

Leaf colour

Unicoloured leaf blade.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.2 to 0.5 m, also suitable for use in pots or planters.

Lifespan

Perennial plant, often cultivated as an annual depending on the climatic conditions.

Where to plant

Extremely versatile, ideal as a balcony plant, pot plant , planter , open field, flower bed, outdoor basin

Stem

The stem is semi-woody, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower has a simple, medium-sized form with a tubular corolla and bi-coloured petals. It is arranged in medium-sized panicle-like inflorescences. It flowers from mid to late summer, with a flowering period of between 25 and 30 days. It has fragrant notes. It is attractive to bees and bumblebees.

Growth

The variety shows medium to vigorous growth.

Plant habit

Bushy habit.

Branching

Plant with abundant branching and dense foliage.

PH

It grows well in soils with a pH ranging from slightly acidic to alkaline, with values between 6.0 and 8.5.

Soil preparation

For mid-spring transplanting, the soil must be properly prepared by digging the soil 20/30 cm deep, removing any weeds, bulky stones and residues from previous crops, then burying the organic substance that will provide the nutrients needed in the plant's early stages of development, then breaking up the most compact and coarse clods with a hoe and finally carefully levelling the surface; In order to improve the drainage of excess water and thus prevent harmful water stagnation, it is advisable to create a raised flowerbed beforehand by slightly bouldering the soil.

For a good final production it is important to carry out, during the vegetative period, superficial tillage to refine the soil, removing weeds adjacent to the crop with a weeder or hoe.

Sun exposure

To obtain a suitable vegetative growth, expose the plant to full sun, afternoon sun, out of the wind.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 15 and 25 °C, it prefers mild climates.

Use

The spicy-tasting foliage makes the plant suitable for many areas of use such as

Agribusiness Officinal / phytotherapeutic Aromatics

Hardiness

Variety of medium-high hardiness, pay attention to winter temperatures as it prefers mild climates.

Soil

It prefers medium-textured, well-draining soil with organic matter; for use in pots or tubs, a horticultural soil containing brown and blond peat is recommended.

Difficulty

It is a plant that is extremely easy to cultivate; ensuring adequate exposure to sunlight as well as balanced watering and fertilisation will result in excellent growth performance.

Growing tips

The following measures and cultivation aspects will help to achieve excellent results in terms of both quantity and quality:

Balanced fertilisation Avoid over-watering Put outside when there is no longer a risk of frost

Intercropping/combination

Can be grown in association with watercress.

Planting

For transplanting into beds or open fields, a density of 9 plants per square metre is recommended so that each individual specimen can grow properly and ensure the development of a dense, thick foliage.

Use seedlings with a good root system, i.e. with undamaged, white roots; with regard to the creation of beds, on which the plants will be placed with the collar above the surface, it is often advisable to use a layer of mulch.

Pruning

When harvesting, it is advisable to make the cut at the base of the head in order to harvest the crop and at the same time preserve the basal buds so that subsequent regrowth can occur.

Propagation

Reproduction can be by spring sowing in the open field or in containers; alternatively, it can be done by head division or by cuttings.

Repotting

Repotting in spring in a larger pot size with suitable potting soil.

Watering

The water requirements of the variety are low; it is advisable to keep the water status of the soil monitored and irrigate according to the needs of the plant. Use rainwater, alternatively from aqueducts or canals with an optimal neutral pH, irrigating manually or by drip irrigation or sub-irrigation. Take care to allow the soil to dry slightly between irrigation sessions, keeping it slightly moist but without wilting the plant; it is advisable to water in the morning and intervene after harvesting, also increase the frequency of watering in the summer.

Irrigate immediately after transplanting and assist the seedling to ensure it settles properly in its new site without, however, overdoing the water supply and maintaining constant soil moisture.

In the case of sowing, it is advisable, after completely burying the seed and covering it with substrate and non-woven fabric, to keep the soil wet until the sprout emerges.

Fertilising

To prepare the soil, pre-transplant, use an organo-mineral fertiliser to perform a background fertilisation to ensure the nutrients the seedling needs in the very early stages of growth. Later, during the spring-summer period, apply a specific water-soluble fertiliser for horticulture, to be diluted in the irrigation water according to the dosages and frequencies indicated on the label of the relevant product to be used.

Pet safety

Ingestion toxicity not detected, consider specific case.

Edibility for humans

The leaves, properly picked and cleaned, are edible.

Toxicity for humans

The leaves are not toxic if ingested in low doses; consider the specific case.

Tip

Pay attention to the possible occurrence of certain diseases such as rust or root rot at the collar that can negatively affect the health of the plant and the final production itself. Therefore, avoid over-watering conditions that may give rise to such diseases.