Photo: Ivar Leidus, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Herbaceous plant
Wild marjoram: when and how to prune
Origanum vulgare
Wild marjoram is best pruned in March.
| Pruning months | March |
|---|---|
| Flowering | July–September |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Wild marjoram: when to prune it?
In March cut back the old stems, before the new shoots grow.
What else to prune in those months? March
Wild marjoram: how to prune it?
- Leave the faded stems all winter: they look lovely with frost, and insects overwinter in and among the seed heads.
- In March cut them back to just above the young shoots at the base.
- For a more compact plant, shorten some of the stems by a third in June: they will flower a little later and lower.
- After flowering you can cut back a few stems for a second harvest of fresh leaves.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: March.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- If you only cut back in March, the old stems stand through the winter: insects overwinter in them and birds eat the seeds.
- As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.
Caution: Do not cut everything down in autumn: you would lose the winter silhouettes and the shelter for insects.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Wild marjoram · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.