By Mebette Eckhardt, NC State Extension Master GardenerSM volunteer of Durham County
With warmer temperatures, local plant sales, and bustling nurseries full of plants, the growing season has arrived! Are you in the middle of planning your edibles garden? Extension Master Gardener volunteer Mebette Eckhardt invites to you consider growing two herbs that just might be new to you.
Cuban Thyme and Marjoram: Two Tasty Herbs to Try
Most people know herbs like basil and parsley, but there are other flavorful plants that deserve a spot in your kitchen and garden. Two of these are Cuban thyme and marjoram. Both herbs are easy to grow, packed with flavor, and useful in a wide variety of dishes. Whether you’re a beginner cook or a seasoned gardener, these herbs can add something special to your meals—and your growing space.
Cuban thyme (Plectranthus amboinicus) with variegated foliage. (Image credit: David J. Stang CC BY-SA 4.0)
Discovering Cuban Thyme at the Farmers Market
Earlier this year, I was volunteering as a master gardener at the South Durham Farmers Market. It was a sunny morning, and I was helping out near a booth filled with seedlings and transplants. One plant stood out to me—it had thick, fuzzy leaves and looked a lot like a coleus. I was curious but skeptical. Could something that ornamental really be edible?
The woman at the booth smiled and said, “That’s Cuban oregano. Some people call it Cuban thyme.” I had never heard of it before, but I decided to give it a try. That plant has since become one of my favorite herbs to use in the kitchen. I now add Cuban thyme to meatballs, meatloaf, and even pasta sauce. Its bold flavor brings a warm, savory taste that makes simple meals feel special.
What Is Cuban Thyme?
Cuban thyme (Plectranthus amboinicus) is also known as Spanish thyme, Mexican mint, or Indian borage. It’s popular in Caribbean, African, and Southeast Asian cooking. The leaves are thick and fleshy, and the aroma is strong—similar to oregano or traditional thyme, but more intense. It’s often used in stews, soups, beans, and meat dishes.
Because Cuban thyme has a powerful flavor, you only need a small amount to make a big impact. It works especially well in slow-cooked meals, where its taste can blend and mellow over time. In addition to cooking, Cuban thyme has been used in traditional medicine to help with coughs, digestion, and skin irritation.
I grow my Cuban thyme in a pot inside my kitchen, where it gets plenty of light and is easy to reach while cooking. It’s also a fantastic propagator—just snip a healthy stem, place it in water or moist soil, and it roots quickly. It’s one of the easiest herbs to multiply and share with friends.
How to Grow Cuban Thyme in Zone 8a
Cuban thyme thrives in warm climates like USDA Zone 8a.
- Sun: Full sun (6–8 hours daily)
- Water: Water when the soil feels dry; avoid overwatering
- Soil: Well-drained soil or potting mix
- Tip: Grows well in containers and can be brought indoors during cold snaps
Marjoram: A New Favorite in the Garden
Marjoram stood out to me as an herb I knew little about and used infrequently. I wanted to learn more, so I found a plant at a local nursery. It turned out to be a lovely, versatile herb that grows well in my garden, which is mostly clay. Since I planted it, it has flowered over and over again. It seems to love its spot next to the black and bloom salvia in my sunny front yard, and I’ve come to appreciate its gentle flavor and cheerful blooms.1
Marjoram (Origanum majorana) grows as a low, bushy herb plant, with oval leaves and soft green texture. (Image credit: Forest & Kim Starr CC BY 2.0)
What Is Marjoram?
Marjoram (Origanum majorana) is a soft, sweet herb related to oregano. It has a gentle flavor with hints of citrus and flowers. Marjoram is popular in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cooking and works well in soups, sauces, roasted vegetables, and poultry dishes.
Because marjoram has a light taste, it’s best to add it toward the end of cooking so the flavor doesn’t disappear. It’s also used in herb blends like herbes de Provence and za’atar. Some people make tea with marjoram to help with digestion or to relax.
How to Grow Marjoram in Zone 8a
Marjoram is easy to grow in Zone 8a’s mild climate.
- Sun: Full sun (at least 6 hours daily)
- Water: Keep soil lightly moist but not soggy
- Soil: Well-drained soil with good airflow
- Tip: Trim often to encourage bushy growth and prevent early flowering
Why Use These Herbs?
Cuban thyme and marjoram are great for different kinds of meals. Cuban thyme is bold and works well in hearty dishes like stews, meats, and pasta sauces. Marjoram is soft and sweet, perfect for lighter meals like vegetables, soups, and chicken.
Both herbs are easy to grow, even in small spaces, and they offer more than just flavor. They’ve been used in traditional remedies and can support wellness in simple ways. Whether you’re cooking dinner or planting your garden, Cuban thyme and marjoram are herbs worth knowing.
Notes
1–When herbs are allowed to flower, they shift from producing tender, aromatic leaves — the part used in cooking — to focusing on reproduction (flowers and seed heads). That change toughens the plant leaf texture and concentrates bitter compounds. It’s the plant’s natural way of completing its life cycle, but for cooks and gardeners, it often means leaves that are less delicate, less aromatic, and far less enjoyable to eat. If you want to extend the period of time you can enjoy your herbs, simply pinch off flowers as they develop to delay this process.
Resources and Additional Information
Read more about marjoram on the NC State Extension’s Plant Toolbox: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/origanum-majorana/
Read more about Cuban thyme on the NC State Extension’s Plant Toolbox: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/plectranthus-amboinicus/
Learn more about Cuban thyme’s growing conditions from the University of Florida IFAS Extension: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/cuban-oregano/
Here is a helpful guide to growing marjoram from the University of Florida IFAS Extension: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/pascoco/2024/06/13/spice-up-your-life-a-beginners-guide-to-growing-marjoram/
Herbs can be used in many ways, including as landscaping plants as Clemson Cooperative Extension describes: https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/herbs/
Revisit a 2017 post on our blog about growing thyme and oregano: https://wp.me/p2nIr1-Wf
Edited by Astrid Cook-Dail, NC State Extension Master GardenerSM volunteer of Durham County
Article Short Link: https://wp.me/p2nIr1-6ZL
