Quick Facts:

• Days to harvest: 60
• Hardiness: Frost-sensitive (perennial in warmer climates, treat as annual in Zone 8b or overwinter indoors)
• Light needs: Full sun
• Water needs: Low to moderate (well-draining; drought-tolerant once established)

Planting:

• Start indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost. Seeds are tiny and slow to germinate.
• Timing: Zone 8b — start indoors Feb–Mar, transplant after last frost in May.
• Depth: Surface sow or barely cover, 1/8 in — needs light to germinate
• Spacing: 8–12 in apart

Care:

• Germination is slow (7–14 days) and seedlings are small at first — don't give up on them.
• Pinch back tips regularly to encourage bushiness and prevent early flowering.
• Once flowering begins, flavor shifts slightly — harvest heavily before this happens if you want leaves at peak flavor.
• To overwinter in Zone 8b: bring pots indoors before first frost, grow in a sunny window.

Harvest:

• Begin harvesting once the plant is 6+ in tall, taking no more than a third at a time.
• Best flavor just before flowering — this is when aromatic oils are highest.
• Fresh use is excellent; also dries well. Hang in bunches or strip leaves and spread on a screen.
• Add fresh marjoram at the end of cooking to preserve its delicate flavor.