Translate this page:

Summary

Bloom Color: Pink, White. Main Bloom Time: Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Rounded.

Physical Characteristics

Satureja montana is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in) by 0.3 m (1ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to October, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

S. illyrica. S. obovata.

Habitats

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

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses: Condiment Tea

Leaves - raw or cooked[2, 4, 9, 20, 34, 37, 52]. A peppery flavour, they are used mainly as a flavouring for cooked foods, especially beans, and also as a garnish for salads etc[183]. They have a stronger, sharper flavour than summer savory (S. hortensis)[183]. The leaves can be used fresh or dried[183]. A herb tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves[183]. The leaves are harvested just before the plant comes into flower[183]. A tangy, marjoram-like flavour[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.
Antiseptic Aromatic Carminative Digestive Expectorant Stings Stomachic

Winter savory is most often used as a culinary herb, but it also has marked medicinal benefits, especially upon the whole digestive system[254]. The plant has a stronger action than the closely related summer savory, S. hortensis[254]. The whole herb, and especially the flowering shoots, is mildly antiseptic, aromatic, carminative, digestive, mildly expectorant and stomachic[4, 7, 9, 14, 21]. Taken internally, it is said to be a sovereign remedy for colic and a cure for flatulence[4], whilst it is also used to treat gastro-enteritis, cystitis, nausea, diarrhoea, bronchial congestion, sore throat and menstrual disorders[9, 238]. It should not be prescribed for pregnant women[238]. A sprig of the plant, rubbed onto bee or wasp stings, brings instant relief[4, K]. The plant is harvested in the summer when in flower and can be used fresh or dried[238]. The essential oil forms an ingredient in lotions for the scalp in cases of incipient baldness[7]. An ointment made from the plant is used externally to relieve arthritic joints[7].

References More on Medicinal Uses

Now available: PLANTS FOR YOUR FOOD FOREST: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens.

An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.

Other Uses

Companion Essential Repellent

The growing plant repels insects[18, 20, 201]. An essential oil is obtained from the leaves. Plants can be grown as a ground cover when spaced about 45cm apart each way[208]. A good bee plant[200]. The leaves have an aromatic fragrance[245]. A good companion plant to grow in the garden, it does especially well with onions and beans and helps to repel insect pests[201]. The plant is said to inhibit the germination of certain seeds[18]. Winter savory seeds can prevent the germination of nearby seeds[201]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]. Special Features: Attractive foliage, Edible, Fragrant foliage, Not North American native. Dynamic accumulator.

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife Dynamic accumulator Ground cover Scented Plants

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Alpine garden, Border, Rock garden, Specimen. An easily grown plant when given suitable conditions, it prefers a well-drained poor stony soil[4, 14, 27, 52] and succeeds in a hot dry sunny position[200]. It prefers an alkaline soil[200] though it is not too fussy. It is very intolerant of soils that remain damp, especially in the winter, and dislikes shade[200]. Plants are less hardy when they are grown in rich soils and also in wet conditions[4, K]. Winter savory is often grown in the garden as a culinary herb, there are some named varieties[183]. The flavour is said to be more coarse than that of the annual savory (S. hortensis). The plants live for several years, but as they grow older they do not make so much new growth and so are best replaced every two years[4].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Celsius Fahrenheit:

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

Shop Now

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

Savory. Sarriette des Montagnes. Sarriette Vivace. Winterbohnenkraut. Segurella. Erva-de-São-Julião. Segurelha-de-verão. Ajedrea. Ajedrea de monte. Hisopillo. Tomillo real. Vinterkyndel.

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

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

Winter Savory is widely cultivated. Native to Temperate Asia: Lebanon, Syria, Turkey. Europe: Austria, Former Yugoslavia, Albania, Greece, Italy, Romania, Spain, France.

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 itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Satureja hortensis	Summer Savory	Annual	0.3	5-9	LM	N	DM	3	2	3
Satureja spicigera	Creeping Savory	Perennial	0.1	6-9	LM	N	DM	3	2	3
Satureja thymbra	Thyme-Leaved Savory	Shrub	0.4	6-9	LMH	SN	M	2	2	3

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.

Satureja montana - L.