How to Grow Summer Savory
Satureja hortensis
Summer savory is a versatile annual herb prized for its lemony flavor in salads, soups, and meats. Gardeners grow it easily because it thrives in full sun and tolerates dry conditions once established.
📷 Wikimedia CommonsStarting Summer Savory: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Summer Savory is not usually started indoors.
Sow seeds directly into the garden bed immediately after the last frost date rather than starting indoors or transplanting seedlings.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5 before sowing seeds directly outdoors after the last frost date. Press seeds lightly into the surface without covering them, as they need light to germinate. Expect sprouts in 10 to 15 days under warm conditions suitable for this summer crop.
Space plants 4 to 6 inches apart to ensure good air circulation and bushy growth. Water moderately but allow the soil to dry out between sessions since the plant is drought tolerant once established. Apply a light layer of mulch to retain moisture, though heavy feeding is unnecessary for this hardy herb.
Occasional aphids may appear; a strong water spray usually removes them effectively. Avoid wetting leaves to prevent root rot in poorly drained soils. Harvest stems when plants reach maturity, typically within 60 to 70 days after sowing, by snipping tops before flowering for the best flavor.
When to Plant Summer Savory
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 2 | April – May | — | August – September |
| Zone 3 | April – May | — | July – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | — | July – October |
| Zone 5 | March – April | — | June – October |
| Zone 6 | March – April | — | June – November |
| Zone 7 | February – March | — | June – November |
| Zone 8 | February – March | — | May – December |
| Zone 9 | January – February | — | April – December |
| Zone 10 | January | — | April – December |
| Zone 11 | January | — | March – December |
Companion Plants for Summer Savory
✓ Good companions
Summer savory improves bean flavor and repels bean beetles
Repels cabbage moths and other brassica pests
Repel insects that damage savory and improve overall garden health
Similar growing conditions and both repel common garden pests
Attracts beneficial insects and may help deter aphids from peppers
Both herbs have similar growing requirements and complement each other
Compatible Mediterranean herbs that attract beneficial pollinators
Summer savory may improve tomato flavor and repel hornworms
✗ Keep away from
May compete for nutrients and space, different watering needs
Allelopathic properties inhibit growth of most herbs including savory
Aggressive spreader that can overtake and compete with summer savory
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
