Herb growing guide
Summer savory
Satureja hortensis
Sun
Full sun
Season
Warm
Maturity
60 to 70 days
Water
Low
Soil pH
6.5 to 7.5
Spacing
6 to 12 in
Planting summer savory
Sow directly after the last frost, or start indoors 4 to 6 weeks early. Press seed lightly into the surface; it germinates best with light.
Planting details
- Spacing: 6 to 12 inches
- Winter savory is the perennial cousin with a sharper flavor
- Sow a second round midsummer for fresh fall leaves
Growing requirements
Summer savory wants full sun and light, well-drained soil. It tolerates poor ground and dry spells better than most soft herbs.
Harvesting and care
Harvest leaves before the plant fully flowers for the best flavor. For drying, cut whole stems in the morning and hang them in small bunches.
Common mistakes
- Burying the seed, since it needs light to sprout
- Overwatering, which rots plants in heavy soil
- Waiting until after bloom to harvest, when flavor fades
Companion plants
Grow it beside beans, its classic kitchen partner, and near other Mediterranean herbs that share lean, dry conditions.