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Satureja thymbra - L.

Common Name Thyme-Leaved Savory
Family Lamiaceae
USDA hardiness 6-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Sunny positions on dry rocky hills[50, 148].
Range S.E. Europe - Balkans, Crete, Greece.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Satureja thymbra Thyme-Leaved Savory


/www.flickr.com/photos/sarahfaulwetter
Satureja thymbra Thyme-Leaved Savory
/www.flickr.com/photos/sarahfaulwetter

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Satureja thymbra is a SHRUB growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from May to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds; East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Shoots
Edible Uses: Condiment  Tea

The leaves have a thyme-like flavour and are used as a seasoning for pulses, savoury breads, brine-cured olives, vegetables etc[4, 177, 183, 238]. The leaves and young shoots are used as a tea substitute. It is said that this make one of the best-tasting of all herb teas[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antibacterial  Aromatic  Digestive  Expectorant  Tonic

The leaves are antibacterial, aromatic, digestive, expectorant and tonic[148, 238]. They are used internally to treat minor digestive discomfort and bronchial congestion[238]. The leaves are harvested during the growing season and can be used fresh or dried[238].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Cleanser  Essential

A strong infusion of the herb is used in the autumn to clean wine barrels in preparation for the new vintage[183]. An essential oil is obtained from the plant, it contains 19% thymol[4] and is also rich in carvacrol[238]. It is used in the pharmaceutical industry[238]. A good bee plant[148]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]. Dynamic accumulator.

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Dynamic accumulator  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a sunny position in a well-drained soil[200]. Plants are intolerant of soils that remain damp[200]. Prefers a neutral to alkaline soil[238]. This species is not very hardy outdoors in Britain, plants suffer damage at temperatures below freezing but they can be grown as annuals, flowering and setting seed in their first year[200]. Plants will be hardier in soils that are very well drained and also if the soil is a bit on the poor side[K].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - surface sow in April in a greenhouse. Do not allow the compost to dry out. Germination can be slow and erratic[1] but usually takes place within a month[K]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. It is usually possible to plant out into their permanent positions during the summer, but if the plants have not grown sufficiently, or if you live in an area of cold winters, it might be best to grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year[K]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm taken at a node, July/August in a frame. Pot up in autumn and overwinter in a frame, planting out in late spring or early summer of the following year. A high percentage usually succeed[78]. Cuttings of young wood, preferably with a heel, April/May in a frame[1, 37]. Plant out in the summer if the plants grow well, otherwise overwinter them in a cold frame and plant out in late spring or early summer of the following year[K]. Division in early spring as growth commences[78, 200]. This works best if soil has been mounded up into the bottom 20cm of the plant early in the previous summer[78]. Pot up the divisions and grow them on in a cold frame until they are established. Plant them out in the summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Satureja hortensisSummer SavoryAnnual0.3 5-9  LMNDM323
Satureja montanaWinter SavoryShrub0.4 6-11 MLMNDM434
Satureja spicigeraCreeping SavoryPerennial0.1 6-9  LMNDM323

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

50200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Kathi   Tue Jan 16 2007

It´s an especially strong and antibiotic herb which I found to be the best helping against an upcoming cold, influenza or immune weakness - it´s the primal herbal tea that I will drink whenever I feel something is coming up, and I always find it very very helpful and enstrenghtening. I´m bringing it with me from visits to Greece; these sun-blessed herbs are much stronger and hotter than the Satureja thymbra which is cultivated in Central Europe.

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