When to plant Savory in Temperate Australia
Temperate zone — applies to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Newcastle and similar areas. Growing elsewhere? Cool · Subtropical · Tropical · Arid.
Raise savory seedlings from September to December in spring or January to March in late summer, barely covering the fine seed at about 3 mm deep. Germination takes 7-21 days, and plants are ready to pick in 60-80 days. Transplant out and space them 40 cm apart with 20-30 cm between rows in full sun. Both summer savory, an annual, and the perennial winter savory carry the same peppery, thyme-like flavour that pairs famously with beans. Temperate gardens from Adelaide to Sydney grow both types easily in warm, free-draining soil.
Sowing calendar — temperate zone
Green months are your sowing window: September to March.
Growing notes
Savory is a compact, aromatic herb that thrives on neglect in a sunny, well-drained bed. Summer savory (Satureja hortensis) is a soft annual you resow each year, while winter savory (S. montana) is a low, woody perennial that persists. Both want lean soil and full sun; rich or shaded conditions give soft growth and weaker flavour.
The seed is fine and needs light to germinate, so sow shallow at about 3 mm and press it onto the surface rather than burying it deep. The usual failure is damping-off in seedlings kept too wet and crowded. Sow into free-draining seed mix, water from below, and give good airflow so the stems do not rot at soil level.
Once established, savory asks little. Pinch the tips regularly to keep plants bushy and to delay flowering, which is when leaf flavour is at its best. In warmer temperate districts around Perth and Adelaide, savory shrugs off summer heat and dry spells with only occasional watering. Harvest sprigs as needed through the season, and cut summer savory hard just before it flowers if you want a batch to dry for winter cooking. Winter savory can be lightly clipped in spring to keep it tidy.
Savory at a glance
| Sowing depth | 3 mm |
|---|---|
| Plant spacing | 40 cm |
| Row spacing | 20-30 cm |
| Germination | 7-21 days |
| Days to maturity | 60-80 days |
| Frost tolerance | Hardy |
| Method | Plant Seedlings |
Common questions
- What is the difference between summer and winter savory?
- Summer savory is a soft annual with a milder, sweeter flavour that you resow each year, while winter savory is a hardy woody perennial with a stronger, more resinous taste. Both are peppery and pair well with beans and pulses.
- How do I grow savory from seed?
- Sow the fine seed shallowly at about 3 mm and keep it lightly moist; it germinates in 7-21 days. Raise seedlings and transplant them 40 cm apart into full sun and free-draining soil.
- Why did my savory seedlings collapse?
- That is usually damping-off, a fungal problem from overwatering and crowding. Use a free-draining seed mix, water from below, and give seedlings plenty of airflow and light.
- Does savory need much water?
- No, established savory is drought-tolerant and prefers lean, dry conditions to rich, wet ones. In warmer temperate areas it needs only occasional watering through summer.
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