Savory is a total must-have for any herb garden. While it’s famous for making bean dishes pop, its peppery, spicy kick is a game-changer for stews and hearty soups, too. The best part? Whether you have a sprawling backyard or just a sunny balcony, you can easily grow this flavorful herb yourself.
Growing Savory in Your Garden
Out of the 35 or so species of savory out there, two main types usually find their way into home gardens: Summer Savory and Winter Savory.
Summer Savory
This variety has a lovely aromatic flavor that’s a bit on the milder side. Since it’s an annual and won’t survive a frost, you’ll need to sow fresh seeds every year. It’s super versatile and grows just as well in the ground as it does in pots or window boxes. Summer savory loves rich, loamy soil that’s nice and loose. Just make sure it drains well—this herb hates having “wet feet” (standing water). For the best results, pick a spot that gets plenty of sunshine.
Winter Savory
If you’re looking for something more permanent, winter savory is a hardy perennial that comes back year after year. It packs a much punchier, stronger flavor than its summer cousin. Like summer savory, it craves a warm, sunny spot, but it actually prefers soil that’s a bit leaner and less nutrient-rich. It even likes a little lime in the soil. Again, well-draining soil is key here to prevent root rot.
How to Grow Savory: A Step-by-Step Guide
You can get a head start on the season by starting your savory seeds indoors in pots. Fill your containers with a good seed-starting mix and sprinkle the seeds on top. Savory seeds need light to germinate, so only cover them with a very thin dusting of soil. Keep the soil consistently moist, and you should see sprouts in about 3 to 4 weeks. Once the seedlings are sturdy enough, they’re ready for the garden.
- Prep your garden bed.
- Loosen the soil and mix in an organic slow-release fertilizer (like horn meal).
- If you’re planting winter savory and your soil is too rich, mix in some sand or pumice to lean it out.
- Space your plants about 10 inches (25 cm) apart.
- If you’re planting multiple rows, keep them about 12 inches (30 cm) apart.
- Give your young plants a good drink of water right after planting.
Growing in Pots and Containers
Savory is a fantastic candidate for container gardening. It thrives in pots, planters, or even balcony boxes. Start by adding a drainage layer of expanded clay pebbles or gravel at the bottom of your pot, then fill it with high-quality potting soil. Scatter the seeds thinly and place the pot in a sunny location. Once the seedlings have grown a bit, thin them out so they have room to breathe and keep on growing!
