How to Grow Winter Savory
Satureja montana
Winter savory is a compact evergreen perennial herb with a strong peppery flavour, more intense than its annual cousin summer savory. Plant in full sun and well-drained, even poor soil; it originates from Mediterranean rocky hillsides and dislikes wet feet. Harvest sprigs year-round, with the best flavour just before flowering in midsummer. Trim after flowering to keep plants compact. Lasts 4-5 years before becoming too woody and needing replacement. A traditional bean herb and excellent companion plant that also attracts pollinators.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Rarely needed. Thrives in poor, well-drained soil. Excess feeding dilutes the essential oils and peppery flavour.
Watch For
- Root rot in wet/heavy soil
- Spider mites in hot dry weather
- Woody leggy growth if not pruned
Pet Safety
Care Requirements
Light
Full sun, sheltered spot
Needs at least 6 hours of direct sun for the best essential oil production and flavour. Originates from Mediterranean rocky hillsides.
Watering
Low, dislikes wet feet
Water sparingly. Well-drained soil is essential. Overwatering causes root rot, the most common cause of failure. Let soil dry between waterings.
Fertilizing
None or very light
Thrives in poor soil. Excess feeding dilutes essential oils and peppery flavour. At most a light compost top-dressing in spring.
Pruning
Trim after flowering, spring cut-back
Trim lightly after flowering in late summer. In spring, cut back by a third to prevent legginess. Never cut into bare old wood.
Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 30 cm |
| Row spacing | 40 cm |
| Mature height | 35 cm |
| Mature spread | 30 cm |
Compact evergreen sub-shrub. Can be used as a low edging hedge.
