Marjoram and oregano - when they grow in the garden, they are not so easy to tell apart. But there is not only one difference between the two plants. How do you know which herb you are cultivating in your garden?

Marjoram and oregano belong to the same genus of plants

Marjoram and oregano both belong to the same genus of plants, whose nickname is dost. The Latin name for all subspecies is Origanum, followed by the species name.

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 respects. 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 herb"
  • For stews and hearty vegetable and meat dishes

Oregano (Origanum vulgare):

  • biennial
  • hardy
  • Bitter taste
  • Intense aroma
  • Smooth leaves
  • For pizza and Mediterranean dishes

Oregano, the "wild marjoram"

Oregano is also known as "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 for making sausages. The "Thuringian Bratwurst" is probably the best-known dish for which marjoram is used.

Oregano plays a particularly important role in Mediterranean cuisine and is always included, for example, together with thyme in the “Herbes des Provence” seasoning mix.

Would you rather sow marjoram or oregano?

Since only small amounts of herbs are needed, you only need to grow a few plants. So there is no problem planting both varieties in the garden.

What speaks in favor of marjoram is that the herb grows quite quickly and can be harvested. If oregano tastes too intense for you, you are better served 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 enjoy bringing Italian or Greek dishes to the table, oregano is indispensable.

Use in naturopathy

There are not only differences between marjoram and oregano. They are similar in cultivation except for their winter hardiness and have been used as medicinal plants since ancient times.

Their healing effect consists of the essential oils that 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 and tricks

For experienced hobby gardeners, the difference between marjoram and oregano is that marjoram is very popular with snails, while oregano is avoided.

Category:

Herbs