Savory is one of those must-have herbs for any kitchen garden. It’s the secret ingredient that gives hearty stews and bean dishes that perfect, punchy flavor. The best part? It’s super low-maintenance and grows just as well in a backyard garden bed as it does in a pot on your patio. There are a few different varieties to choose from—some are hardy perennials that come back every year, while others are annuals that you’ll need to sow each spring.
- Savory Blooms
You can easily harvest savory seeds from your own plants or pick up a packet at your local garden center. The blooming season usually runs from June all the way through October, though Summer Savory typically finishes up its show by September. The tiny flowers are beautiful, ranging from white and pink to light purple. Once the flowers fade, they form seed heads filled with teeny-tiny seeds—you’ll want to keep an eye on them so you can harvest them before they drop!
- Working with Savory Seeds
Once those seeds are ripe, they’re ready to be collected. For the best results, I recommend sowing them the following spring while they’re still fresh; they’ll germinate much faster that way. One very important tip: savory seeds are “light germinators.” This means they need sunlight to wake up! When you plant them, just scatter them on top of the soil and don’t bury them. Give them a gentle press so they make contact with the dirt, and then mist them lightly with water.
If you miss the harvest window, don’t sweat it—savory is great at self-seeding. You’ll just see little volunteers popping up on their own. Once they look like sturdy little seedlings, you can transplant them to a nice sunny spot.
Savory also makes a fantastic container plant. Depending on what you’re growing, you’ll want to adjust your soil: Summer Savory loves nutrient-rich soil, while Winter (Mountain) Savory actually prefers a leaner, nutrient-poor mix. You should see sprouts in about two to three weeks. Once the seedlings are strong, you can move them out to the garden or thin them out to grow in balcony boxes. Just remember that savory likes to get bushy, so give it a little elbow room!
- Buying Savory Seeds
You’ll find plenty of varieties at garden centers or online. Some popular ones to look for include:
- Compact Savory
- Winter (Mountain) Savory
- ‘Aromata’ Savory
- Organic Savory varieties
- ‘Cyrano’ Savory
- ‘Pikanta’ Savory
- ‘Bolero’ Perennial Savory
Whether you choose an annual or a perennial type, each has its own slightly unique flavor profile. One pro-tip for shopping: always check the “packed for” or expiration date on the seed packet. Savory seeds are a bit sensitive and lose their ability to sprout as they get older. If a packet doesn’t have a date, leave it on the shelf and look for a fresher batch!
