This carefree Sweet Marjoram plant enchants me. Within a few weeks of sunshine and pleasant summer weather, this plant has grown like wild and put on the flowers. In south India we know this plant as Maruvam (Telugu) and its green stems are used in garlands. Ladies like this plant for its sweet aroma and often a small stem in hair can spread the scent across many feet. For me the plant brings pleasant memories of my formative years - memories of mother, temple garlands, rich fresh flower markets, and floral gardens. The plant needs very little care if planted in well prepared container or ground. I use a general mix of one part compost (or cow manure), one part sand, and one part clay. Experienced gardeners do not care that much while planting in containers. They just throw whatever is readily available in the garden (stock) and quickly make a pot. But they always care for good drainage. Marjoram does not like water logging. After the growing season (i.e., fall here) I bring the pot inside and leave it near a sunny window. We reduce the water because the plant goes into a dormant state. We use the plant mostly for its aroma. Coconut oil infused with marjoram is good for skin and hair. Dried stems (with or without the flower buds) come in handy for keeping the air fresh in bathrooms or even home offices. A very happy and pleasant herbal plant. This sweet scented herb has many diverse medicinal uses. It contains more than fifty aromatic compounds and oils. The plant can be propagated with seeds or cuttings. In season (spring, summer) we can get this plant for very little ($ 1-2) at the local Farmers Market. That is an inexpensive way to grow this plant for the beginners.
Sanskrit: Maru (prastha pushpakamu), Hindi: Murwa. Copyright 2021 by the author
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