Summer Savory
Satureja hortensis
Pepper flavor adds spice to dishes. For flavoring fresh and dry beans, cabbage, and sauerkraut. Long internodes create a tall, somewhat lanky plant.
Harvest
60-70d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
18-18 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Summer Savory in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 herb →Zone Map
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Summer Savory · Zones 2–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April – May | June – July | — | July – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – July | — | July – October |
| Zone 5 | March – April | May – June | — | June – October |
| Zone 6 | March – April | May – June | — | June – November |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – June | — | June – November |
| Zone 8 | February – March | April – May | — | May – December |
| Zone 9 | January – February | March – April | — | April – December |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – April | — | April – December |
Complete Growing Guide
Soil: High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt). Soil pH: Alkaline (>8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage. Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Broad oblong-ovoid, pale brown nutlets.
Color: Brown/Copper. Type: Nut. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Harvest time: Fall
Bloom time: Summer
Edibility: Leaves, raw or cooked, can be used as flavoring. Aromatic and slightly peppery, it can be a garnish for salad or steeped for tea.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh summer savory keeps 7-10 days in the refrigerator when stored like cut flowers—trim stem ends and place in a glass of water, covering loosely with a plastic bag. For longer storage, summer savory dries exceptionally well, retaining most of its peppery bite. Bundle small stems and hang in a warm, dry, dark location with good air circulation. Properly dried savory should crumble easily and maintain its gray-green color within 1-2 weeks. Strip leaves from stems and store in airtight containers away from light—dried summer savory stays potent for up to two years. You can also freeze whole stems in ice cube trays covered with olive oil for convenient cooking portions. Unlike many herbs, summer savory's robust flavor holds up well to long cooking, making it excellent for herb salts and vinegars that develop complexity over time.
History & Origin
Origin: Southeastern Europe to Western Asia
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Deer, Drought, Dry Soil
- +Attracts: Leaves, raw or cooked, can be used as flavoring. Aromatic and slightly peppery, it can be a garnish for salad or steeped for tea.
- +Edible: Leaves, raw or cooked, can be used as flavoring. Aromatic and slightly peppery, it can be a garnish for salad or steeped for tea.
- +Fast-growing
- +Low maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Beans
Summer savory improves bean flavor and repels bean beetles
Onions
Repel insects that damage savory and improve overall garden health
Tomatoes
Summer savory may improve tomato flavor and repel hornworms
Peppers
Attracts beneficial insects and may help deter aphids from peppers
Cabbage
Repels cabbage moths and other brassica pests
Rosemary
Both herbs have similar growing requirements and complement each other
Thyme
Compatible Mediterranean herbs that attract beneficial pollinators
Oregano
Similar growing conditions and both repel common garden pests
Keep Apart
Cucumber
May compete for nutrients and space, different watering needs
Fennel
Allelopathic properties inhibit growth of most herbs including savory
Mint
Aggressive spreader that can overtake and compete with summer savory
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #172232)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Very disease resistant, thrives in various conditions
Common Pests
Generally pest-free, occasional aphids
Diseases
Root rot in poorly drained soils, otherwise very hardy