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Pick two or three seeds to see how they grow, side by side: sprouting, spacing, sun, water, frost and pet safety in one table.

Comparing Marjoram vs. Caraway vs. Basil

The comparison

Marjoram vs. Caraway vs. Basil

Units
Growing facts for Marjoram, Caraway and Basil, side by side
Fact
MarjoramOriganum majorana
CarawayCarum carvi
BasilOcimum basilicum
DifficultyEasyModerateEasy
Life cycleNot yet verifiedBiennialAnnual
Germination time7–14 days10–14 days5–10 days
Germination temperature18–21 °C64–70 °FNot yet verified18–21 °C64–70 °F
Sowing depthOn the surface6 mm¼ in6 mm¼ in
Spacing between plants30 cm12 in20–30 cm8–12 inNot yet verified
SunFull sunFull sun, partial shadeFull sun, partial shade
WaterLowModerateNot yet verified
ContainersYesNot yet verifiedYes
Frost toleranceTender (no frost)Not yet verifiedTender (no frost)
Soil pHNot yet verifiedpH 4.8–7.6pH 6.0–6.5
Toxicity to catsToxicToxicNon-toxic
Toxicity to dogsToxicToxicNon-toxic
Links
How to grow marjoramRemove marjoram
How to grow carawayRemove caraway
How to grow basilRemove basil

Up close

Meet the seeds

What each one is, in a few lines, with the full growing guide one click away.

  • Marjoram plants growing densely with clustered green leaves and budsHerbs

    Marjoram

    Origanum majorana

    Difficulty: EasyGrows in pots

    Sweet marjoram is a fragrant, tender herb grown from seed in full sun and well-drained soil. It is toxic to dogs and cats, so keep it away from pets.

    How to grow marjoram
  • Close-up of dried brown crescent-shaped caraway seeds scattered on a white surfaceHerbs

    Caraway

    Carum carvi

    Difficulty: Moderate

    Caraway is a biennial herb grown mainly for its seeds, with edible leaves and roots. It is best sown directly in the garden in full sun and flowers in its second year.

    How to grow caraway
  • Basil plant with water droplets growing in a red terracotta potHerbs

    Basil

    Ocimum basilicum

    Difficulty: EasyGrows in pots

    A fragrant, warm-season herb that's easy to grow from seed and does especially well in sunny pots. Start it indoors and move it outside only after the last frost.

    How to grow basil

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The table, row by row

How to read a comparison

Every row is a fact from each seed's own profile, lined up so the differences stand out.

  1. Sprouting

    Germination time and temperature

    How many days the seeds take to sprout, and the temperature range they sprout in.

  2. Sowing

    Sowing depth and spacing

    How deep to sow each seed and how far apart the plants should grow. “On the surface” means the seed isn't covered.

  3. Timing

    Days to maturity and life cycle

    How long until the plant is ready, counted from sowing or from transplanting (each value says which). Annuals live one year, biennials two, perennials longer.

  4. Light and water

    Sun and water

    Full sun means 6 or more hours of direct sun a day, partial shade a few hours. Water needs are rated low, moderate or high.

  5. Space and weather

    Containers, frost tolerance and soil pH

    Whether it grows in a pot, with the smallest pot when it's known. Frost tolerance runs from tender (no frost) to hardy. Soil pH 7 is neutral.

  6. Pets

    Toxicity to cats and dogs

    Whether the plant is toxic to cats and dogs.

Quick wins

Fastest to sprout

Days from sowing until the first shoots appear, in good conditions.

Pet friendly

Safe around cats and dogs

Listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs. Each seed's page has the details.

Not safe for pets: borage, buckwheat, caraway, carnation and 14 more.

Comparing

Questions about comparing

How many seeds can I compare?
Two or three at a time. Pick them in the boxes at the top, or start from any seed's page with “Compare with another seed”.
Can I share a comparison?
Yes. Every comparison has its own address, like /compare-seeds/?seeds=marjoram,caraway, so you can copy the link from your browser and send it.
Where do the facts come from?
From each seed's profile. Every fact there is researched and reviewed by our editors before it goes live.
Can I see metric or imperial units?
Both. The table picks the units that match your browser's language, and the switch above it changes them. Your choice is remembered in this browser.
Do I need an account?
No. Comparing seeds, like every page on SeedBattle, is free and needs no account.

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Each seed's page explains how to grow it from seed, with facts researched and reviewed by our editors.

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