Sweet Marjoram Seeds Vilmorin - Delicate Spicy Mediterranean Aroma

Discover Vilmorin Sweet Marjoram Seeds (Reference: 5876546), a top-quality herb seed that will let you grow this Mediterranean plant with its many culinary virtues. Native to Africa and Asia and brought to Europe in the Middle Ages, sweet marjoram has become essential in our herb gardens thanks to its delicate, spicy scent, which elevates many fine dishes.

An aromatic plant with varied culinary uses

Sweet marjoram is particularly prized by home and professional cooks for its spicy, sweet aroma reminiscent of oregano but gentler. It gives a delicious scent to white meats, poultry, tomato sauces, marinades and even home-made mayonnaise. Its slightly camphorous, lemony taste brings an authentic Mediterranean note to your dishes.

This herb is used fresh to keep all its aroma, but it can also be dried for long-term keeping. The leaves are picked right through the season, ideally before flowering for the best flavour. Marjoram goes perfectly with Mediterranean vegetables such as tomatoes, courgettes and aubergines, and combines harmoniously with thyme, rosemary and oregano.

Botanical features and growing requirements

Sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana) is a perennial plant grown as an annual in our climates. It forms compact clumps 20 to 40 cm tall, with small oval leaves of a greyish green, downy and highly aromatic. Its small white or pink-tinged flowers appear in summer and attract pollinating insects, contributing to the biodiversity of your garden.

This Mediterranean plant likes sunny, warm positions, with at least 6 hours of sun a day. It adapts to every kind of well-drained soil, even chalky and poor ones, but dislikes standing moisture, which can rot the roots. A light, sandy soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH (between 6.5 and 7.5) suits it perfectly.

Simple sowing, growing and care

Vilmorin seed is sown from March to May, either directly in place after the last frosts, or under cover from February-March for transplanting later. The very fine seeds are broadcast or sown in rows 25-30 cm apart, then covered lightly with fine soil. Germination takes 10-15 days at a temperature of 15-20°C.

Once the seedlings are up, thin them to leave 15-20 cm between each plant. Watering should stay moderate and regular, avoiding excess moisture. A light mulch around the plants limits evaporation and reduces weed growth. To encourage leafy growth and concentrate the aroma, pinch out the flower buds regularly as soon as they appear.

Picking goes on throughout the growing season, cutting the stems as you need them. For drying, harvest before the plant is in full flower, preferably in the morning once the dew has gone. Marjoram also grows well in a pot on a balcony or terrace, in a container at least 20 cm across with effective drainage.

Technical specifications