Marjoram is a culinary herb first cultivated in the Mediterranean region. It belongs to the Lamiaceae family, which means it is related to mint and other herbs associated with Mediterranean cuisine. Marjoram grows well in containers and is relatively easy to cultivate both indoors and outdoors. It is viewed as an all-purpose companion plant without many antagonists. Many gardeners view it as a good all-purpose border plant because of how well it gets along with other plants and its ability to attract pollinators while repelling pests.
Marjoram is said to improve the flavor of many vegetables and herbs, and is improved by many of them. The process by which it is believed to do this is called allelopathy, which is when one plant releases biochemicals that positively or negatively affect other organisms. Below are some of the best marjoram companion plants.
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Stinging nettle
The stinging nettle plant is believed to be an especially good companion plant for marjoram. Stinging nettle is often grown as a tea herb. It is said to concentrate the essential oils that give marjoram its flavor.
Oregano
While marjoram is in the Lamiaceae family and is related to all mints, it is particularly close to oregano. The two herbs are similar enough that sometimes oregano is referred to as wild marjoram. Oregano’s flavor is a little more on the spicy and bitter side compared to marjoram’s relative mildness and sweetness, but the two flavors have a lot in common. Like marjoram, oregano does well with light watering and sun. Both herbs planted together can effectively repel aphids and other pests from your garden.
Rosemary
Even though they don’t look a lot like each other, rosemary, and marjoram are related and do have a lot in common. Neither plant needs much water; in fact, both are susceptible to root rot from overwatering, so you can plant them together. Both also like full sun in temperate climates, but neither does well with excessive heat.
Peas
Because they grow well in a similar temperature range, pea plants can make good marjoram companions. Marjoram can attract pollinators to increase the yield of pea plants and may keep pests away. Pea plants fix nitrogen in the soil, which can benefit the marjoram.
Alliums
Marjoram grows well with Alliums including onions, garlic, and chives. In addition to liking dry soil and mild temperatures, many gardeners have found that Alliums enhance the flavor of marjoram and have their flavors enhanced by it. Both plants are effective for repelling pests and can work together to protect your garden.
Eggplants
The eggplant is a garden staple that only needs light watering unless the weather is particularly hot, which means that its preferred environment is similar to that of marjoram. Marjoram can attract insects that will pollinate eggplants, while also warding off many of its pests.
Which plants should not be planted with marjoram?
Fennel is known to have negative effects on other nearby plants via the same kinds of allelopathic processes that make marjoram such a good general companion plant. Along with releasing chemicals that can affect a marjoram plant’s health, fennel plants also grow aggressively. Tomatoes are bad marjoram companions, even though they might benefit from its pest-repellent and pollination properties. The reason is that tomatoes require a lot of water and marjoram doesn’t. Giving tomatoes the water they need would give marjoram plants too much water.