Origanum syriacum aka Biblical Hyssop

Origanum syriacum is a perennial herb in the mint family, Lamiaceae. Its common names include bible hyssop, zaatar, and wild marjoram. Its native range covers parts of the eastern Mediterranean and western Asia. These include Cyprus, Sinai, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and southern Turkey. In Turkey, it grows on lime-rich rocks and slopes. Some wild sites have partial shade.

This evergreen plant forms upright, bushy clumps. Garden plants reach about 1.6–3.3 feet [0.5–1 metre] tall and wide. They take two to five years to reach full size. The small, oval leaves have a grey-green tone and strong scent. Clusters of small white flowers rise above the leaves. The RHS places flowering from late spring into summer. Missouri Botanical Garden lists July to August. Both the leaves and flowers give this herb garden value.

Grow it in full sun with soil that drains well. The RHS recommends alkaline soil with low to moderate fertility. Its profile also lists tolerance of acid and neutral soils. Chalk, loam, and sand suit it. Missouri Botanical Garden also records clay tolerance. Drainage matters, since wet soil can lead to root rot. Dry to moderately moist conditions suit this drought-tolerant herb. The RHS rates it H4, while Missouri Botanical Garden lists USDA zones 9–10. Winter wet is a concern even where temperatures suit it. Use a dry winter mulch or overwinter plants under glass or indoors.

The leaves and flowering tops serve as a food seasoning. Their taste recalls thyme, marjoram, and oregano. Dried leaves can join sumac in the spice blend called zaatar. People use this blend with olive oil on bread. Some dried leaves and flowering stems enter trade as oregano. This use makes the plant useful in a kitchen herb bed. It also suits pots, window boxes, and hanging baskets. The RHS suggests rock gardens, courtyards, cottage gardens, and wildlife gardens.

Care needs are low when the site suits the plant. Cut it back in autumn, and raise new plants from seed. Leafhoppers may attack it, but serious pest problems are uncommon. Disease is also uncommon apart from rot in poorly drained ground. Plants For A Future lists no known hazards or medicinal uses. It also records no weed potential. The leaves are edible, though this alone does not establish pet safety.