Botanical profile

Winter savory

Latin name
Satureja montana
Common name
Winter Savory
Type
Perennial aromatic herb
Family
Lamiaceae

Winter savory is a perennial herb highly prized for its narrow, dark green, and very fragrant foliage, with a peppery, warm taste that is more intense than summer savory. Its powerful aroma makes it an excellent culinary herb for flavoring beans, legumes, grilled meats, sauces, soups, marinades, roasted vegetables, and stews. Its compact and slightly woody habit integrates very well into herb gardens, rock gardens, edible borders, and sunny containers.

Easy to grow, winter savory prefers a full sun, warm, and well-ventilated location, in light, poor to moderately fertile, and very well-drained soil. It tolerates drier conditions well once established, making it an excellent plant for Mediterranean-style landscaping and low-water gardens. Light pruning after flowering or in spring helps maintain a dense, compact, and well-branched plant. Its leaves can be harvested fresh during the season or dried for longer use in cooking.

Both aromatic, decorative, and useful for pollinators, winter savory produces a discreet but melliferous bloom that attracts bees and other beneficial insects. More durable than summer savory, it returns year after year when well established in draining soil. It is an ideal herb for gardeners looking for a robust, flavorful, and easy-to-maintain plant, perfect for enriching a gourmet garden with a peppery and Mediterranean flavor.

Care guide

Care level
Easy

Choosing this plant

Main benefit
Persistent, very hardy, aromatic and peppery foliage
Vegetable garden, herbs, border, rock garden, container, Mediterranean cuisine
Container growing
Excellent in containers in well-drained soil
Seasonal care
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a compact shape; harvest young shoots as needed; avoid waterlogged soils in winter
Growing conditions

Light, soil, water and hardiness

Hardiness zone
Zone 4
Exposure
Sun
Watering
Moderate; allow the surface of the soil to dry out slightly between waterings
Humidity
Low to average humidity; drought-tolerant once established
Fertilization
Light compost in spring; avoid excessive fertilizer
Soil type
Light soil, poor to medium, rather dry and very well drained
Soil pH
Neutral to slightly alkaline
Minimum temperature
-30°C
Propagation method
Sowing, cuttings, or division
Plant appearance

Blooming, foliage and shape

Blooming period
Summer
Flower color
White to pale pink
Fruiting
Late-season seeds
Foliage color
Dark green
Foliage type
Persistent to semi-persistent
Shape
Compact, semi-woody, bushy habit
Garden structure

Size and growth

Height
25 to 45 cm (10 to 18 in.)
Width
30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 inches)
Growth rate
Average growth
Vegetable garden and yield

Companion planting, spacing and harvest

Companion plants
Beans, onions, tomatoes, thyme
Spacing
30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 inches)
Harvest period
Leaves from spring to autumn
Not recommended for pets
Not recommended for pets

Pets

Deer
Less attractive or generally tolerated by deer

Deer

The availability of our plants varies depending on arrivals, seasons, nursery production and supplier availability. Some varieties may be offered for a limited time only, depending on their natural cycle or current stock. These plant profiles are designed to guide and inspire you when choosing plants for the garden, landscaping projects, containers or long-lasting outdoor arrangements.