Marjoram and oregano – when they grow in the garden, they are not that easy to tell apart. But there is not just one difference between the two plants. How you can tell which herb you are cultivating in your garden.
What is the difference between marjoram and oregano?
Differences between marjoram and oregano lie in taste, growth behavior and appearance: Marjoram (Origanum majorana) is an annual, milder in taste, has hairy leaves and is not hardy. Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is biennial, has a more intense taste, has smooth leaves and is hardy.
Marjoram and oregano belong to the same plant genus
Marjoram and oregano both belong to the same plant genus, whose generic name is Dost. The Latin name for all subspecies is Origanum, to which the respective species name is added.
Some hobby gardeners find it difficult to tell the two plants apart. Both give off quite a strong aroma when the leaves are rubbed.
The two plants differ from each other in several ways. This is how you can tell whether you have marjoram or oregano in front of you.
Marjoram (Origanum majorana):
- Annual
- Not hardy
- Spicy-sweet aroma
- Milder in taste
- Hairy leaves
- “Sausage cabbage”
- For stews and hearty vegetable and meat dishes
Oregano (Origanum vulgare):
- Two-year-old
- hardy
- Bart taste
- Intense aroma
- Smooth Leaves
- For pizza and Mediterranean dishes
Oregano, the “wild marjoram”
Oregano is also called “wild marjoram” because the herb is not cultivated but grows wild everywhere in southern regions. Marjoram, on the other hand, was cultivated for cultivation in northern countries.
Marjoram is primarily used in German cuisine to make sausage. The “Thüringer Bratwurst” is probably the most famous dish for which marjoram is used.
Oregano plays a major role, especially in Mediterranean cuisine, and is, for example, always included together with thyme in the “Herbes des Provence” seasoning mixture.
Is it better to sow marjoram or oregano?
Since only small quantities of herbs are required, you only need to grow a few plants. So it's no problem to plant both varieties in the garden.
The advantage of marjoram is that the herb grows quite quickly and can be harvested. If oregano tastes too intense for you, you're better off with marjoram.
Oregano grows a little slower. The plant is hardy, so you can harvest stems for the kitchen table for two years. If you like to serve Italian or Greek dishes, oregano is indispensable.
Use in naturopathy
There are more than just differences between marjoram and oregano. Except for their winter hardiness, they are similar in cultivation and have been used as medicinal plants since ancient times.
Its healing effect consists of the essential oils, which are used for digestive problems such as diarrhea and flatulence. The herbs are also said to be effective for loss of appetite.
Unlike marjoram, oregano is also used as a remedy for respiratory diseases. It can also be used to treat inflammation in the mouth and throat.
Tips & Tricks
For experienced hobby gardeners, the difference between marjoram and oregano is that snails like to visit marjoram, while they avoid oregano.
