It is used in the same way as marjoram, with which it is, incidentally, often confused. A staple of southern Italian cuisine, it is the ideal flavouring for tomato sauces, pizza, roast meats and stews
It is an easy-to-grow perennial herb. It prefers fertile, well-drained soil and sunny positions, although in full sun the leaves tend to get burnt. It tolerates drought and should be watered as needed.