Photo: Marios ThomaCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Winter Savory Plant Care
Satureja montana L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant's glossy, dark green leaves are its most distinctive visual feature. Originally from the Mediterranean region, Satureja montana's aromatic foliage and delicate purple flowers make it a sought-after addition for plant collectors looking to add a touch of fragrance to their garden.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Winter Savory?
Winter Savory grows best in full sun to partial shade.
Where Is the Winter Savory Native To?
- Albania
- Algeria
- Angola
- Benin
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Djibouti
- DR Congo
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- France
- Gabon
- Ghana
- Greece
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Israel
- Italy
- Kenya
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Malta
- Mauritania
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Macedonia
- Portugal
- Republic of the Congo
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Sierra Leone
- Slovenia
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Spain
- Sudan
- Syria
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Türkiye
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
What Is the Winter Savory?
Winter Savory (Satureja montana) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Satureja genus. Winter Savory is native to warm temperate regions of southern Europe, the Mediterranean, and Africa. Winter Savory is also known as Mountain Savory.
Winter Savory displays a low-growing, spreading herb growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Winter Savory produces small white or pink tubular flowers in summer.
What Light Does the Winter Savory Need?
Winter Savory thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Winter Savory?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Winter Savory to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Winter Savory?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Winter Savory?
Winter Savory can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings.
Is the Winter Savory Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Winter Savory, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Winter Savory?
Winter Savory is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Winter Savory Need?
Winter Savory grows outdoors in USDA Zone 5a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 5a. Winter Savory is native to warm temperate regions of southern Europe, the Mediterranean, and Africa.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 5a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Winter Savory is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Satureja genus — compare its care with other Satureja species on PlantoScan.
Satureja is part of the Lamiaceae plant family — browse all Lamiaceae genera and species.
Winter Savory thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Satureja montana L., family Lamiaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 568 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Winter Savory, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Marios Thoma, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 5a – 9b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
Identify Plants Like the
Winter Savory Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species