Photo: Jeremy GilmoreCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Thymbra Savory Plant Care
Satureja thymbra L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This Mediterranean herb is easily recognized by its small, narrow leaves covered in fine hairs. Originating from the Mediterranean region, Satureja thymbra is sought after by plant collectors for its strong, savory flavor and medicinal properties.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Thymbra Savory?
Water Thymbra Savory every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season.
Where Is the Thymbra Savory Native To?
- Albania
- Algeria
- Angola
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Benin
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Djibouti
- DR Congo
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Estonia
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Finland
- France
- Gabon
- Germany
- Ghana
- Greece
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Kenya
- Latvia
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Malta
- Mauritania
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Republic of the Congo
- Romania
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Sierra Leone
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Spain
- Sudan
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- The Netherlands
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
What Is the Thymbra Savory?
Thymbra Savory (Satureja thymbra) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Satureja genus. Thymbra Savory is native to southeastern Europe and Libya, Africa. Thymbra Savory is also known as Wild Thyme.
Thymbra Savory displays a low-growing, spreading herb growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Thymbra Savory produces small white or pink tubular flowers in summer.
How Often Should You Water a Thymbra Savory?
Satureja thymbra requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Thymbra Savory Need?
Thymbra Savory thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Thymbra Savory Prefer?
Satureja thymbra grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Thymbra Savory prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Thymbra Savory?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Thymbra Savory to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Thymbra Savory?
Feed Thymbra Savory every month during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Thymbra 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 Thymbra Savory?
Thymbra Savory can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to winter savory plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Thymbra Savory Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Thymbra 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 Thymbra Savory?
Thymbra 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 Thymbra Savory Need?
Thymbra Savory grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Thymbra Savory is native to southeastern Europe and Libya, Africa.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 8a – 10b
Keep exploring plants
Thymbra 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.
Thymbra 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 thymbra L., family Lamiaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 567 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Thymbra 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: Jeremy Gilmore, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 8a – 10b, 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
Thymbra 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