Summer Savory (Satureja hortensis)
2 sources cited · Verified
The short answer
- Plant
- Early March to late March
- Site
- 6+ hours of sun, soil pH 8–8.5
In the UK, summer savories go in the ground early March to late March.
Summer savories (Satureja hortensis) — Bushy hardy annual -- genuinely distinct from the perennial Winter Savory (Satureja montana) already in this catalogue….
Timing is the decision that matters most in the UK: sowing early March, and that same window applies across all 4 regions covered here.
Core growing advice on this page is checked against named horticultural sources — see References.
Regional Planting Calendar
Quick Facts
Soil & Growing Conditions
Growth Stages
Harvest & Storage
Summer Savory Photo Gallery
References
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Light: full sun (6+ hours) essential, does not do well in damp soil or shade. Soil: high organic matter or loam; pH alkaline (>8.0); good drainage required, avoid wet conditions; prefers rich light soil with plenty of moisture, though not fussy. Spacing: 12in-3ft apart; height 1.5ft, width 1-3ft. Hardiness: USDA zones 2a-11b (grown as an annual regardless of zone). Propagation: stem cutting recommended (also grown readily from seed). Growth: annual, rapid growth rate, low maintenance; can be harvested within 2 months of sowing. Harvest: just before the plant flowers for best flavour; cut back as flower buds appear to produce a fresh flush of leaves. Pests/diseases: no known diseases or insect pests; rarely troubled by deer.
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Site: full sun, free-draining conditions, in ground or containers; open sunny spot, soil that never waterlogs; heavy soil needs a raised bed or container instead. Spacing: at least 20cm (8in) from neighbouring plants. Size: winter savory a shrubby plant up to 40cm (16in) tall (vs summer savory, bushy, about 30cm/1ft tall and wide). Harvest: winter savory harvestable for most or all of the year where growth persists, though winter growth slows considerably; strip leaves from stems, use fresh or dry by hanging in a warm, dark, well-ventilated place. Overwintering: hardy but semi-evergreen, sheds leaves in very cold weather, keeps them through winter in milder areas; for continuous winter harvest move potted plants to a bright, cool, frost-free spot (greenhouse or porch), or protect ground plants with well-ventilated cloches in high-rainfall regions. Pests/diseases: generally healthy and trouble free when grown in warm, sunny, well-drained conditions. Propagation: softwood cuttings from new growth in summer, or layer by pegging low stems into the soil in spring or autumn; cut back old shoots in early spring. Flavour: earthy, spicy, peppery (vs summer savory's milder, more delicate flavour).
2 independent sources are cited for this crop. Where they disagree - soil pH is the clearest case - every figure is preserved rather than averaged into false precision.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I sow summer savories in the UK?
In Southern England, from early March. In Scotland, wait until early March. Treat these as a guide rather than a fixed date — the governing rule is to sow only once frost risk has passed and temperatures are reliably warm enough.
When do I sow summer savories?
Sow early March to late March, at around 16°C for germination.
What soil pH do summer savories need?
A pH of about 8–8.5. That span reflects genuine variation between the authorities we cite rather than a single agreed figure — the References section lists each source's exact range.
Plan next season before the problems start
Most of the advice on this page comes down to timing and spacing — sowing at the right moment, rotating beds, and giving plants enough airflow. The UK Garden Planner lays your plot out month by month so those decisions are already made before the season starts.
Get the UK Garden Planner →Instant PDF download · Written for UK growing conditions
Last verified 2026-09-04
Where To Go From Here
Take this crop from reading into a written plan for your own beds.
Plan the next step
Use the printable SoilCommander planner for your region to turn this guide into sowing dates, bed layouts and weekly garden tasks.