Origanum hortensis - Sweet Marjoram

2000 seeds

🗓️ When to Sow

• Indoors: Start seeds 6–8 weeks before your last frost.

• Outdoors: Sow after the last frost, once soil has warmed (15°C / 60°F or warmer).

• Marjoram is sensitive to cold — treat as an annual in frost-prone regions.

🌱 How to Sow Indoors (Recommended)

1. Prepare Containers

   • Use seed trays or small pots with a fine, well-draining seed-starting mix.

2. Sow the Seeds

   • Sow very thinly on the surface of moist soil.

   • Do not cover seeds — they need light to germinate.

   • Gently press seeds in using a flat surface.

3. Water Lightly

   • Mist with a spray bottle to avoid displacing tiny seeds.

   • Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy.

4. Provide Warmth & Light

   • Ideal germination temperature: 70–75°F (21–24°C).

   • Use a sunny windowsill or grow light (12–14 hours daily).

5. Germination Time

   • Typically 10–14 days, sometimes up to 21 days.

🌿 After Germination

• Once seedlings develop 2–3 sets of true leaves, thin or transplant into individual pots.

• Harden off seedlings by gradually introducing them to outdoor conditions before transplanting.

🌼 Transplanting Outdoors

• Plant in full sun, in well-drained soil.

• Spacing: 10–12 inches (25–30 cm) apart.

• Ideal in herb beds, containers, or rock gardens.

🌾 Growing Tips

• Soil: Light, sandy, and well-draining; avoid overly rich soil (can reduce flavor).

• Watering: Let the soil dry slightly between waterings — avoid waterlogging.

• Harvesting: Begin cutting stems when the plant is 4–6 inches tall. Regular harvesting encourages bushier growth.

• Flowering: Pinch off flower buds to keep flavor high and prolong leaf production.