Grow Your Own Oregano and Marjoram

Planting and care: Herb Garden Essentials, Grow Your Own Oregano and Marjoram. Choose a spot in full sun once all the danger of frost has passed and the soil temperature is fairly warm. The plants aren’t fussy about soil types but do require good drainage. Amend the soil before planting, then space seedlings about 12 inches apart for sweet marjoram and 12 to 18 inches apart for oregano. You can also grow oregano and sweet marjoram in pots at least 6 inches wide.

To keep the plants from getting woody, cut them back to 4 to 6 inches about a month after planting, then again in midsummer and early fall if growing them as perennials. Cut back completely or divide every few years to rejuvenate the plants and fertilize lightly once a year in the spring. 

Pests and diseases generally don’t bother oregano, though there are occasional problems with rots, spider mites and aphids. Sweet marjoram is similarly trouble free, though whiteflies and rust may sometimes cause problems.