Real World Gardener Marjoram vs Oregano in Spice it Up

 SPICE IT UP Oregano vs Marjoram: What's the Difference? <p>How well do you know your herbs? You may have a herb garden so are pretty much used to telling the difference between one herb and another, but there are some herbs that look really similar.</p> <ul><li>Have you ever asked one of your household to go and get something like say sage leaves from your garden, and they came back with some catmint or something else?</li> <li>Or perhaps you’ve planted one of these similar looking herbs and have forgotten which is which?</li> </ul> Can you tell which of the herbs pictured below is oregano and which is marjoram? <a href='https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pOSBdZSGOkU/YK8j4targgI/AAAAAAAAkjs/kiNsDHTt_XsWFdcBsuFk1ZS9mWnPgRqUACLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/Oregano.jpg'></a> <a href='https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sMkUxCd-Npk/YK8k23UOyZI/AAAAAAAAkj8/A_6iknWYh2cgKeRZGLx8uTrJRnBzt7A8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1920/marjoram.jpg'></a> It’s time to have a closer look and write up a label. Marjoram and oregano are very close relatives. Even more confusing because the latin name for marjoram genus is Origanum   Scientific name: Oregano majorana Common name: marjoram Family: Lamiaceae or mint family Scientific name: Oreganum vulgare Common name: oregano Family: Lamiaceae or mint family How to tell the difference at a glance <ul><li>Marjoram leaf will generally be a little bit smaller and rounder whereas the oregano leaf tends to be elongated and slightly larger..</li> <li>Oregano leaf will be slightly fuzzy looking in appearance.</li> <li>Oregano grows vigorously throughout the year and is considered a tough herb.</li> <li>Marjoram is likely to die off in colder weather.</li> <li>Marjoram has a milder flavour than oregano.</li> <li>Oregano has a slightly peppery note to it.</li> </ul> Varieties of marjoram Pot marjoram: Origanum onites Winter  or wild marjoram: Origanum heraclesticum   Varieties of oregano. Greek oregano: Origanum vulgare hirtum Mexican oregano: Poliomentha longiflora  Poliomentha is not to be confused with  another he