Plant savory after frost. Sow the seed on the surface, or barely cover it, because it needs light to germinate.
Sow after frost, on the surface, because the seed needs light
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| When | After the last spring frost, in soil that has begun to warm | Sowing into freezing ground |
| Depth | Press seed onto the surface, or cover with a dusting of mix; light helps it sprout | Burying the seed a half inch down |
| Spacing | Thin or set plants about 8 to 12 inches apart | A tight knot with no air around the stems |
| Start | Direct sow, or start indoors four to six weeks before frost and transplant at the old pot line | A hole that holds water after rain |
Wait until frost has passed, then sow in a sunny bed that already drains. [1] Press the seed onto the mix, or cover it with only a dusting of soil, because light helps it germinate. [2] summer savory is usually sown this way, then thinned. winter savory from a nursery pot sits at the same depth it grew in the container. [3] Sun and watering after planting are on How to Grow Savory.
When do I plant savory?
After the last spring frost, in soil that already drains. Start seed indoors four to six weeks before frost if you want a head start.
How to plant savory
Sow after frost on the surface, keep the seedbed moist until it sprouts, then thin to about 8 to 12 inches.
- Choose a full-sun bed of sand or loam that drains. Mix grit into heavy clay so water does not sit on the roots.
- Sow after frost. Press the seed onto the surface, or cover it with a light dusting of mix. Keep the seedbed moist until it sprouts, usually in one to two weeks.
- Thin or transplant so plants stand about 8 to 12 inches apart. A nursery plant sits at the same depth it grew in the pot.
- For a longer leaf harvest of summer savory, sow a fresh row every three to four weeks into midsummer.
- Water once to settle. Water through the first weeks so the roots take hold, then follow How to Grow Savory.
How far apart do I plant savory?
About 8 to 12 inches apart, after frost, at the same depth as a nursery pot.
Split winter savory, or take a cutting, in spring
Winter savory seed is slower and less even than summer savory seed, so a cutting or a divided clump is the usual way to add plants. Take a four- to six-inch tip in spring, strip the lower leaves, and set it in moist mix that drains until it roots. Lift a crowded clump in spring or fall, keep roots on each piece, and replant at the same depth. [4]
What fails at planting
Burying the seed too deep is the main reason a row never comes up, because the seed needs light. Do not set a tender start out on a freezing night, and do not plant into a hole that holds water after rain.
If the seed was buried, sow a fresh row on the surface after frost and keep it moist until it sprouts.
FAQ
Can I start winter savory from seed?
Yes, but germination is slower and less even than summer savory. A nursery plant, a spring cutting, or a divided clump is the usual start for a woody plant this season.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] Johnny's Selected Seeds -
https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/herbs/savory/summer-savory-key-growing-information.html - [2] Illinois Extension -
https://extension.illinois.edu/herbs/savory-summer - [3] Almanac -
https://www.almanac.com/plant/savory - [4] Harvest to Table -
https://harvesttotable.com/how_to_grow_savory/
This note is part of Satureja Guides.
More planting notes by plant are gathered in Planting Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors