Zaatar (Origanum syriacum), packet of 50 seeds, organic

$4.95

Family:  Mint (Lamiaceae)

Hardy to Zones 8 to 12.  May be grown as an annual, 90 days to harvest.

(Wild Middle-Eastern Oregano, Ezov, Majorana syriaca) Evergreen perennial native to the Middle East.  This is a spicy smelling and tasting oregano-like herb that is the keystone herb in the condiment “Zaatar or Zaatari,” which is used quite frequently by people living in the Middle East. You mix the dried and powdered herb with various other ingredients–garlic, salt, olive oil, crushed sumac seeds, etc and use it on bread.  Quite delicious and habit forming in a good way. Plant prefers full sun and sandy, fast-draining soil. Makes an abundant crop of leaves and flower bracts in the first growing season.  Standard culture–barely cover seeds with a fast-draining mix and keep moist, very warm and in the light until germination.  Very good gardeners will be able to direct-seed them in a prepared seedbed.  The rest of us will start them in greenhouse or windowsill, grow them on in pots and place to garden 1 foot apart once the soil has really warmed up.  The plants are small but potent.

50 Seeds/pkt., Certified Organically Grown

 

In stock

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  1. Question

    Carolyn M

    Hello! Could this be overwintered indoors in NM zone 7b? Or are there sufficient seeds that it reseeds readily?
    Thank you!

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hi Carolyn,
      Thanks for contacting. Zaatar does not readily self-seed. The plant is relatively friendly to pots and can be grown as a potted perennial brought indoors for the winter. We grow it as an annual and get good yields that way, It is reluctant to make seeds and needs a long season for seed production. Greek Oregano (Origanum heracleoticum) is a much more frost hardy perennial with similar taste and medicinal applications. Richo

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  2. Question

    Diana Hasna (verified owner)

    I bought the seeds and planted and it looks like grass coming up. Will it change to look like the photo?

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  3. 2 out of 2 people found this helpful
    Richo Cech

    Admin Richo Cech

    From a gardening friend:  “I wanted to send you additional confirmation that your source of Zaatar is authentic. I bought some plants for a friend who grew up as a goat herder on one of Israel’s first settlement kibbutzim and he was familiar with the herb and its prevalent use among the Palestinians. I watched expectantly as he brushed the leaves and inhaled. He lifted his head, gave a knowing smile and said, “It smells like the Holy Land”.”

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    • Lynn

      Does it like a lot of water? I live in Louisiana zone 9 gets pretty warm here .. will full sun be ok. The plants I have just seem like they are growing slow

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    • Richo Cech

      Admin Richo Cech

      No, they are drought-tolerant. Warm is good. Slow growth may be because of poor drainage.

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    • Bernardo

      Could you ship these to brazil?

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hello Bernardo, I am sorry, I cannot successfully ship seeds to Brazil. Richo

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    • Greg

      Do these spread invasively, like many other members of the mint family? I don’t want it to take over my garden and I am wondering if I should grow it in a sunken pot to keep it from spreading.

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      hi greg, if you got an uncontrolled spread of this it would be the first report i’ve heard of it–mostly people can’t get enough Zaatar, and lose it in their garden from overharvest or too cold of a winter. r

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    • Douglas Curtis (verified owner)

      I grew many seedlings which I killed through overwatering and then cold. I will be guarding my live llant purchase more carefully as I have fallen in love with this herb. Amaaazing flavor for even a simple tea, let alone spicing a dish.

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      there is a whole culture of people in the north of africa that agree with you wholeheartedly. zaatar is beloved!

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