When to Plant Sweet Marjoram in Sydney, Warm Temperate Guide

Sow August to October. Right now in October you can sow.

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A short-lived, frost-tender perennial on the coast that is often grown as an annual. It dislikes cold, wet winters, so give it sun and...
Days to harvest
60 days
Sunlight
Full sun. At least 6 hours.
Water needs
Moderate. More water-needy than oregano but still prefers drying between waterings.
Spacing
20cm apart, 30cm between rows
Soil pH
6.5-7.5

Published · Last reviewed · By GardenBuddy.au
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Sweet Marjoram guide is written for the Warm Temperate zone, which takes in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Sweet Marjoram

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

A tender perennial (grown as annual in cold zones) closely related to oregano but with a sweeter, more delicate flavour. Essential in French and Mediterranean cooking. More cold-sensitive than oregano. Forms a compact bushy plant to 30-40cm. Often confused with oregano but the flavour is distinctly different.

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Planting Calendar for Warm Temperate

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
- - - - - - - S S/T/D T/D - -

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

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Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 18.5°C (optimal range: 10–25°C) ✓ Ready to plant

Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Sydney), not a live sensor.

What this month normally looks like

In October the Warm Temperate zone normally runs 24°C by day and 13°C overnight, with about 66 mm of rain over 7 or 8 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was -1.5°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 153 postcodes, SILO.

How to Grow Sweet Marjoram in Warm Temperate Australia

When to Plant

A short-lived, frost-tender perennial on the coast that is often grown as an annual. It dislikes cold, wet winters, so give it sun and sharp drainage.

Soil
Well-drained, light soil with some organic matter. Not as lean as oregano prefers.
pH Range
6.5-7.5
Sunlight
Full sun. At least 6 hours.
Spacing
20cm apart, 30cm between rows
Watering
Moderate. More water-needy than oregano but still prefers drying between waterings.

Companion plants: Most vegetables, Other Mediterranean herbs

Warm Temperate Growing Tips for Sweet Marjoram

Recommended Varieties

  • Standard sweet marjoram

Key Challenges

  • Frost-sensitive
  • Humid summers

Pro Tips

  • Good zone, may persist as perennial in mild winters
  • Sheltered position

Harvesting Sweet Marjoram

When ready: Harvest once plant is bushy at 15cm+. Best just before flowering.

How to harvest: Snip stems above leaf pair. Regular harvesting delays flowering.

Common Sweet Marjoram Pests in Warm Temperate Zones

Aphids and Powdery Mildew, risk: MODERATE (score: 52/100)

Organic prevention (Aphids): Healthy plants in full sun.

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Where to next

Also worth sowing in the warm temperate zone this October: Lemongrass, Beetroot, Dwarf Beans (Bush) and Eggplant (Aubergine).

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Common Questions About Sweet Marjoram

When do you plant sweet marjoram in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Does sweet marjoram grow all year round in Sydney?

No. In the Warm Temperate zone the planting months are Aug to Oct. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Warm Temperate zone, Sydney is its reference city.