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Winter Savory

Satureja montana

A hardy Mediterranean perennial with needle-like leaves that provide intense, peppery flavor reminiscent of thyme and oregano combined. This drought-tolerant herb forms attractive low mounds of evergreen foliage topped with delicate white or pink flowers that attract beneficial insects. Known as the 'bean herb' for its traditional pairing with legumes, winter savory is more potent and longer-lasting than its summer cousin.

Harvest

75-90d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

5–10

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

6-18 inches

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Winter Savory in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Winter Savory · Zones 5–10

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing8-12 inches

SoilWell-draining, sandy or rocky soil, tolerates poor soil

pH6.0-8.0

WaterLow, drought tolerant once established

SeasonPerennial evergreen herb

FlavorIntense, peppery, and pungent with pine and thyme-like notes

ColorDark green needle-like leaves with small white to pink flowers

SizeSmall, compact perennial subshrub

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
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

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: Sand, Shallow Rocky. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Occasionally Dry. Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed, Stem Cutting.

Harvesting

Type: Nut.

Edibility: Leaves can be used fresh or dried as a seasoning in food.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh winter savory keeps best stored stem-down in a glass of water, covered loosely with a plastic bag, and refrigerated for up to two weeks. The woody stems help it last longer than most tender herbs. For longer storage, winter savory dries exceptionally well—bundle small bunches and hang in a warm, dry, well-ventilated area for 1-2 weeks until stems snap cleanly.

Freezing works but changes the texture significantly; freeze whole stems in freezer bags for up to six months and use directly in cooked dishes. The herb's intense flavor makes it excellent for herb salts—layer fresh leaves with coarse salt and let cure for several weeks. Winter savory also infuses beautifully in olive oil or vinegar, though always use dried herb for oil infusions to prevent botulism risk. The dried herb actually intensifies in flavor and can substitute for fresh at a 1:3 ratio.

History & Origin

Origin: Southwestern Asia and Southern Europe

Advantages

+Attracts: Butterflies
+Edible: Leaves can be used fresh or dried as a seasoning in food.
+Fast-growing

Companion Plants

Beans are the standout pairing — winter savory has a long history grown alongside them, reportedly deterring bean beetles, and both plants do fine in lean soil without heavy feeding or irrigation. Brassicas like cabbage and broccoli benefit from savory's volatile oils, which can interfere with the host-finding behavior of cabbage moths. In our zone 7 Georgia garden, planting savory along the edge of a tomato or onion bed is a practical layout choice: all three want full sun and back-off watering by midsummer. Keep savory away from cucumbers — they're heavy drinkers, and the moisture competition alone tends to stress savory's shallow root system; there's also documented allelopathic interference between the two. Rue is another poor neighbor, classically incompatible with savory, likely due to root-zone chemical interference.

Plant Together

Beans

Winter savory repels bean beetles and aphids that commonly attack bean plants

Cabbage

Deters cabbage worms and flea beetles while improving cabbage flavor

Onions

Both plants repel similar pests and their strong scents complement each other

Tomatoes

Repels tomato hornworms and may enhance tomato flavor when planted nearby

Carrots

Helps deter carrot rust fly while carrots' deep roots don't compete for surface nutrients

Rosemary

Similar growing conditions and both herbs repel cabbage moths and carrot flies

Thyme

Compatible Mediterranean herbs that enhance each other's pest-repelling properties

Broccoli

Protects against cabbage loopers and other brassica pests

Keep Apart

Cucumber

Winter savory can stunt cucumber growth and reduce fruit production

Rue

Allelopathic effects can inhibit winter savory's growth and essential oil production

Sweet Basil

May cross-inhibit growth when planted too closely together

Nutrition Facts

Calories

23kcal(1%)

Protein

3.15g(6%)

Fiber

1.6g(6%)

Carbs

2.65g(1%)

Fat

0.64g(1%)

Vitamin C

18mg(20%)

Vitamin A

264mcg(29%)

Vitamin K

415mcg(346%)

Iron

3.17mg(18%)

Calcium

177mg(14%)

Potassium

295mg(6%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #172232)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Excellent disease resistance, very hardy

Common Pests

Generally pest-free, occasionally aphids

Diseases

Root rot in wet soils, otherwise very disease resistant

Troubleshooting Winter Savory

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Seedlings collapse at soil level — stems pinched, black, and almost girdled — usually within the first 2 weeks after germination

Likely Causes

Damping off (Pythium or Rhizoctonia species) — triggered by overly wet, poorly drained seed-starting mix
Sowing too densely with no airflow around stems

What to Do

1.Pull and discard affected seedlings immediately; don't let them sit and spread spores
2.Switch to a gritty, well-draining seed-starting mix — winter savory wants lean, not rich and moist
3.Run a small fan near your trays for 20–30 minutes a day to keep stem bases dry

Roots brown and slimy, lower leaves yellow-brown, plant looking generally sorry despite regular watering

Likely Causes

Root rot — Phytophthora or Pythium — almost always caused by heavy clay or chronic overwatering rather than any external pathogen pressure
Planting in a low spot where water pools after rain

What to Do

1.Dig the plant up, trim off mushy roots, and replant in a raised bed or a spot with at least 12 inches of well-drained soil
2.Amend heavy clay with coarse sand and compost before replanting — winter savory tolerates pH up to 8.0 and actively prefers lean, dry conditions
3.Cut watering entirely once the plant re-establishes; this herb is drought-tolerant and overwatering is far more common than drought stress with Satureja montana

Clusters of small soft-bodied insects on new growth tips, leaves slightly curled or sticky to the touch

Likely Causes

Aphids (likely Myzus persicae or a generalist species) — usually appear when plants are crowded or shaded and natural predator populations haven't built up yet
Absence of lady beetles or parasitic wasps in a newly planted bed

What to Do

1.Knock aphids off with a strong stream of water — NC State Extension notes that natural predators and parasites usually keep populations low when plants have good sun and air circulation
2.For a heavy outbreak, apply insecticidal soap directly to the colonies, coating the undersides of leaves where they cluster
3.Skip conventional pesticides entirely — they aren't labeled for culinary herbs, and you'll be cutting this plant into food

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between winter savory and summer savory?▼

Winter savory is a hardy perennial with needle-like evergreen leaves and intense, peppery flavor, while summer savory is an annual with softer leaves and milder, more delicate taste. Winter savory is much more drought tolerant and cold hardy, lasting for years in the garden, whereas summer savory must be replanted each year. The flavor of winter savory is more concentrated and pungent, making it better for hearty dishes and preservation.

Can you grow winter savory in containers?▼

Yes, winter savory grows excellently in containers, especially in terra cotta or unglazed ceramic pots that allow soil to dry out between waterings. Use a well-draining potting mix amended with sand or perlite, and choose containers at least 8 inches deep. Container growing is ideal for zones 4-5, allowing you to move plants to protected areas during harsh winters. Water sparingly and avoid fertilizing for best flavor development.

How long does winter savory take to grow from seed?▼

Winter savory takes 75-90 days from seed to first harvest, with germination alone taking 14-21 days under ideal conditions. Seeds are slow to start and plants grow deliberately in their first year, focusing on root development. However, once established, winter savory is a long-lived perennial that provides harvests for many years. Starting seeds indoors 6-8 weeks early helps ensure plants reach good size before winter.

Is winter savory good for beginners?▼

Winter savory is excellent for beginners once you understand its basic needs—excellent drainage and minimal care. The biggest mistake new gardeners make is overwatering or trying to grow it in rich, moist soil. If you can provide a sunny, well-draining location and resist the urge to pamper it, winter savory is nearly foolproof and very forgiving of neglect.

When should I plant winter savory?▼

Plant winter savory seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date, or direct sow outdoors 2-3 weeks after the last frost when soil temperatures reach 60°F. In mild climates (zones 7-9), you can also plant in early fall for establishment before winter. Spring planting gives the best results in most areas, allowing plants a full growing season to establish strong root systems before winter.

Does winter savory come back every year?▼

Yes, winter savory is a hardy perennial that returns yearly in zones 5-9, often maintaining evergreen foliage through winter in milder climates. In zone 4, plants may die back to the ground but typically regrow from the roots if protected with mulch. Established plants actually improve with age, forming attractive shrub-like mounds that provide herbs for many years with minimal care.