(Satureja Montana 'Winter')
Winter Savory is a perennial herb that is native to the Mediterranean but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 6-15” and features multi-branched woody stems, aromatic, shiny, lance-shaped, dark green leaves, and tiny lilac and white flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees and butterflies, repels bean beetles and cabbage moths, is resistant to deer, is rabbit safe, tolerates drought, is used to flavor perfumes, the leaves are used as an insect repellent, and is both edible and medicinal!
Genus: Satureja
Species: Montana
Variety: Winter Savory
Native to: Albania, Austria, France, Greece, Italy, Lebanon-Syria, Spain, Turkey, Yugoslavia.
Introduced into: Portugal, Texas.
Ease of Growing: Easy
Grown as: Perennial
Maturity (Blooms): June to August
Hardiness: Hardy. Winter Savory is hardy to 10˚ F.
Crops: Spring Transplant, Spring
Growing Season: Short, Long
Growing Conditions: Cold, Cool, Warm. Winter Savory is evergreen year round and doesn't need too much water or nutrients.
Outdoor Growing Temp: 45°F - 80°F
Min Outdoor Soil Temp: 65°F. Best to plant when the soil is between 65 and 80˚F.
Start Indoors: Yes
Start Outdoors: Yes
Light: Full sun to part shade. Min. 6 hours daily (Cold, Cool, Warm). Savory grow best in full sun and will not tolerate too much shade.
Water: Low. Winter Savory is fairly drought tolerant.
Soil Moisture: Dry to medium. Well-drained.
Feeder: Light. Winter Savory can tolerate poor soils but does benefit from a small amount of fertilization.
Suitability: Drought tolerant, Tolerates light frost, Tolerates hard frost.
Small Gardens?: Yes
Attracts beneficial insects?: Yes. Attracts Bees as well as being tolerant to Deer.
Containers?: Yes. In areas with extremely cold winters, plants can be planted in containers and taken inside. They will need to be placed in the sunniest spot inside the house.
Maintenance: Medium
Height: 6-15"
Spacing: 8"
Sow Depth: 1/8"
USDA Zone: 4-8
Produces: multi-branched woody stems, aromatic, shiny, lance-shaped, dark green leaves, and tiny lilac and white flowers.
Garden Uses: Best in herb garden. Has ornamental value that can be useful in rock gardens or border fronts. Surprisingly good edging plant which may be clipped for a formal effect.
Start Indoors
Start Outdoors
When outdoor temp: 45°F to 80°F, optimal temp 70°F to 80°F
When min soil temp: 65°F. Best to plant when the soil is between 65 and 80˚F.
Seed Depth: 0.0"-0.125". Press seeds firmly into soil but do not completely cover as the plants require some light for germination.
Spacing: 9"
How: Dig a hole 4 to 6" deep (depending on the container size). Gently squeeze the sides of the container to release the soil. Remove the plant and soil from the container and place into hole. Surround with additional soil, but don't bury the base of the plant. Give the plant a good watering to ensure proper root establishment. Winter Savory is evergreen year round and doesn't need too much water or nutrients.
When outdoor temp: 45°F to 80°F, optimal temp 70°F to 80°F
When min soil temp: 65°F. Best to plant when the soil is between 65 and 80˚F.
Spacing: 8"
Support: No
Water Needs: Low. Winter Savory is fairly drought tolerant.
Fertilizer Needs: Light. Winter Savory can tolerate poor soils but does benefit from a small amount of fertilization.
Watering: Water, 2 cups per plant, every 4 weeks.
Support: No.
Harvesting
When and How:
Leaves: You can start harvesting (sparingly) after a couple of months. Never take more than 1/3 of the plant. Pinching off the plant will encourage growth.
Cut & Come Again: Harvest sprigs regularly to encourage new growth but never take more than 1/3 of the plant.
Storage
Storage Req: Drying, Warm
Storage Temp: 60-75°F
Storage Length: 1-360 days
Pick fresh leaves and put in ice tray and cover with water.
Storage Req: Freezer
Storage Temp: 32°F
Storage Length: 1-180 days
Seed Saving
Germination Percentage: 75%
Culinary
Culinary Use: Winter Savory is well known as a seasoning for snap beans but is also used for soups, sauces, stocks, stuffing, salad dressings, etc. It's strong peppery thyme flavor makes it a great spice for those on salt-restricted diets. It's great in marinades for fish and meat and also adds flavor to potatoes when sprinkled on fresh.
Leaves: raw or cooked. A peppery flavor, they are used mainly as a flavoring for cooked foods, especially beans, and also as a garnish for salads etc. They have a stronger, sharper flavor than summer savory (S. hortensis). The leaves can be used fresh or dried. A herb tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves. The leaves are harvested just before the plant comes into flower. A tangy, marjoram-like flavor.
Medicinal
Other Uses
Companion Planting
Problems
Nutrition
Health Benefits of Savory
Natural Antiseptic Herb: The savory leaves contain volatile-oil phenols that make it an exceptional natural antiseptic. Savory oil contains 30 - 45 per cent carvacrol, 20 - 30 percent Thymol, and Cineol, Cymene and Pinene. Studies have shown that Carvacrol may have the potential to inhibit and fight certain bacterial such e.g. E. coli and Bacillus. Carvacrol oil is used as antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial. Additionally, Thymol oil in savory holds antiseptic, anti fungal and antibacterial qualities. This makes savory tea excellent for general health and assist in preventing infections in the body. Moreover, savory's volatile oils are useful in aiding respiratory health. In recent studies scientists have suggested using this oil to reduce sinus infections.
Rich sources of Vitamin, Mineral and Fiber: The leaves of the savory plant are rich in mineral e.g. potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and selenium. This plant also contains many vital vitamins such as vitamin C, B-complex, and vitamin A. Savory also has a high source of fiber too. The fiber in savory leaf and shoot can help to lower the bad cholesterol and increase the good cholesterol levels in the body. The rich sources of mineral, vitamins and fiber in savory can help and strengthen your total health.
Immune System Support: The rich sources of vitamin in savory are able to ensuring good health and improving our immune system. Savory might help and protect your body against common illnesses and infections. Furthermore, the antiseptic qualities of savory offer protection against intestinal infections and parasites. Savory's powerful antiseptic action can improve liver and kidney functions too. Savory can reduce a headache and helps to regulate the GABA levels in the brain to handle the stress.
Home remedies for cold and flu: Savory can be used as a tea during the cold and flu season. This herbal tea can reduce the chance of catching a cold or flu. The soothing oils in savory can reduce the cold and flu, sooth sore scratchy throat and cough. You can also mix savory with chamomile, mint leaf and black currant to strengthen the fighting cold and flu power. Mixture between black currant and savory can help you to sooth convulsive cough.
Support Digestion: Savory tea used to relieve digestive upset, flatulence, diarrhea, and support digestive tract. You can use savory as a tonic to help prevent and cure diarrhea. Since savory has a mild diuretic, it can treat conditions that affect the urinary track and even tuberculosis. Besides, drinking savory as a tea can help maintain a healthy liver, bladder and good internal health.
Natural anti inflammatory: Savory can be used to treat abdominal pains, menstrual pains or abdominal cramps. You can infuse 200-250g of savory in3 hours for making herbal bath. Put the boiled savory in the bath water and take a regular bath for 15-20 minutes though.
Rheumatoid patients who suffer from high fevers can dab savory on the affected areas to cure the painful symptoms.
Nature remedies for stronger skin: Savory alcohol can act a good disinfectant and can be used to treat skin infections and wounds. People with oily skin can use savory in facial steams and baths for stronger skin. You can infuse 20 gram of savory in 500 ml of water for treating greasy complexions. Used the water in small amounts and applied to the skin for 15-20 minutes.
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