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Satureja hortensis

Image of Satureja hortensis

Jessie Keith

Family

Lamiaceae

Botanical Name

Satureja hortensis

Plant Common Name

Summer Savory

General Description

The prized culinary herb, summer savory, is a must for herb and kitchen gardens. This annual mint has been cultivated for centuries to flavor food. It is thought to have originated in southeastern Europe, the Mediterranean and western Asia and has a delicious, peppery, herbal taste that compliments eggs, beans, peas, vegetable salads and summer stews. The leaves are a bit milder than the closely related, winter savory (Satureja montana).

Fragrant, lightly fuzzy, narrow leaves line the angular stems of this short, bushy, upright plant. The flowers are held in loose groups around the stems. They are small, two-lipped, tubular and may be lilac, pink or white. Bees and butterflies visit the flowers. The leaves taste best of harvested before the plants flower.

Sunny sites with porous, moderately fertile soil are ideal for this herb. Summer savory is a hardy annual that's easily grown from seed. Plant it in spring in temperate zones and winter in subtropical locations. Pinch back the young stems to harvest the leaves. This practice also produces bushier plants. Summer savory is somewhat drought tolerant but prefers regular applications of water during long dry spells. Refrain from overwatering as this can induce stem or root rot.

Summer savory is not very ornamental but its scent and flavor makes up for any lack of good looks. Grow it in a container, herbal garden or along the base of pole or bush beans.

Characteristics

  • Sunset Zone

    A1, A2, A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Herb

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    10"-18" / 25.4cm - 45.7cm

  • Width

    12"-18" / 30.5cm - 45.7cm

  • Bloom Time

    Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall

  • Native To

    Southern Europe, Mediterranean, Western Asia

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant, Average Water

  • Habit

    Clump-Forming

  • Seasonal Interest

    Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White, Pink, Lavender

  • Fruit Color

    Tan

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Gray Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green, Gray Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green, Gray Green

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    Yes

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    Yes

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Fine

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    No

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Container, Edible, Herb / Vegetable

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes