Savory Planting Guide

Summer savory is an annual herb with a peppery, thyme-like flavor that pairs especially well with beans. Winter savory is a perennial with a stronger flavor.

Satureja hortensis · Herb · Lamiaceae family · 50–70 days to maturity

Get Your Personalized Savory Planting Dates

Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.

Where Can You Grow Savory?

Zone Compatibility for Savory Zones 4a – 10b

1a 1b 2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b 12a 12b 13a 13b

Ideal (data available) Suitable Marginal Not recommended

Planting Dates by Zone

Zone	Start Indoors	Direct Sow	Transplant	Harvest
Zone 4a	—	—	May 13	Jul 8 – Sep 2
Zone 4b	—	—	May 8	Jul 3 – Aug 28
Zone 5a	—	—	May 2	Jun 27 – Aug 22
Zone 5b	—	—	Apr 25	Jun 20 – Aug 15
Zone 6a	—	—	Apr 17	Jun 12 – Aug 7
Zone 6b	—	—	Apr 10	Jun 5 – Jul 31
Zone 7a	—	—	Apr 1	May 27 – Jul 22
Zone 7b	—	—	Mar 25	May 20 – Jul 15
Zone 8a	—	—	Mar 15	May 10 – Jul 5
Zone 8b	—	—	Mar 4	Apr 29 – Jun 24
Zone 9a	—	—	Feb 17	Apr 14 – Jun 9
Zone 9b	—	—	Feb 1	Mar 29 – May 24
Zone 10a	—	—	Jan 8	Mar 5 – Apr 30
Zone 10b	—	—	Jan 8	Mar 5 – Apr 30

Why are some columns showing "—"?

Start Indoors shows "—" because Savory is typically direct sown outdoors rather than started indoors. It germinates quickly and doesn't transplant well.

Direct Sow shows "—" because Savory benefits from being started indoors first, then transplanted after the last frost.

How to Plant Savory

0.5"

Planting Depth

Between Plants

12"

Between Rows

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Low — drought tolerant

Drought tolerant — water only when soil is dry 2" deep.

🧪 Soil pH

6.5 – 7.5

Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.

🗺️ Hardiness Zones

Zone 4a – 10b

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

Quick-growing crop. Multiple plantings per season are possible.

👪 Plant Family

Lamiaceae

Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Lamiaceae family crops grew last year.

Succession Planting Savory

Savory matures in just 50–70 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 4 successive plantings by sowing every 5.7 weeks.

Your actual succession count depends on your local frost dates. Enter your ZIP code to get personalized succession planting dates for your area.

Companion Planting for Savory

✅ Good Companions

Green Beans Onion Tomatoes

Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Growing Tips for Savory

Direct sow summer savory after last frost. Plant winter savory from divisions or cuttings. Harvest stems before flowering for best flavor. Use fresh or dried.

Saving Savory Seeds

Recommended for Your Garden

🪴

Fabric Grow Bags $10-25

Breathable fabric pots that promote healthy root growth and prevent overwatering.

🏺

Self-Watering Planters $15-40

Built-in reservoir keeps herbs and greens consistently watered with less effort.

🌱

Seed Starting Trays $8-20

Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.

Level Up Your Garden

Seed Saving & Storage Guide

Learn when to harvest, how to dry, and how to store seeds from 200 plants. Never buy seeds again.

Learn More →

Savory by State

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to grow Savory?

Savory (Satureja hortensis) takes 50 to 70 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.

What zones can Savory grow in?

Savory can be grown in USDA zones 4a through 10b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.

How much sun does Savory need?

Growing Savory requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Low — drought tolerant, and soil pH of 6.5 to 7.5.

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