Winter Savoury

Winter Savoury (Satureja montana)

Winter savoury is a quiet, underrated workhorse of the herb garden. Tough, evergreen and deeply aromatic, it earns its place by being reliable, useful and unfussy — exactly the sort of plant we value here.

With its peppery, savoury flavour and neat, woody habit, winter savoury bridges the gap between herb and small shrub. It copes well with cold, poor soils and neglect, and rewards you with year-round picking and a depth of scent that intensifies as it dries.

What is Winter Savoury?

Winter savoury is a perennial herb native to southern Europe, traditionally grown in kitchen and monastery gardens. Unlike summer savoury, it is woody, evergreen and long-lived.

Historically, it was valued as a kitchen herb and a plant for general household use. You’ll often find it mentioned alongside thyme and rosemary in older herbals — planted near the door for easy access.

Growing Winter Savoury in the UK

Position

Full sun is essential for strong flavour.Sheltered, open position with good airflow.

Ideal for borders, raised beds and herb gardens

Soil

Free-draining soil is vital.Thrives in poor, stony or chalky ground. Does not tolerate waterlogged conditions

Watering

Water young plants until established. Drought tolerant once settled

Avoid regular watering in winter

Feeding

Little to no feeding required. Too much feed reduces flavour and hardiness

Pruning

Trim lightly after flowering to keep plants compact.Harvest regularly during the growing season. Avoid cutting back into old woody growth

Winter Care

Fully hardy in most UK conditions

Good drainage matters more than frost protection. Container plants may need shelter in prolonged wet weather

Harvesting & Drying Winter Savoury

Harvest little and often throughout the year. Pick young shoots for the best flavour

Harvest on a dry day once dew has lifted. Dry in small bunches in a warm, airy place

Dried winter savoury develops a deeper, more rounded aroma and stores exceptionally well.

Winter Savoury for Body Care

Winter savoury has a long tradition of use in household and body-care preparations, valued primarily for its robust, herbal scent.

Can be infused into carrier oils for use in balms and salves

Sometimes included in soaps for its warm, peppery aroma

Used in blends aimed at hard-working skin

As with all botanical ingredients, winter savoury is used in cosmetics for general skin care and wellbeing — not to treat or prevent medical conditions.

Winter Savoury Around the Home

Natural Home U

ses

Add dried savoury to herbal simmer pots for a warm, kitchen-garden scent

Use in natural cleaning blends alongside rosemary or thyme

Tuck dried sprigs into cupboards as a traditional aromatic herb

Seasonal Living

Add to winter wreaths an

d dried herb bundles

Include in potpourri for depth and longevity of scent

Use dried sprigs in the hearth or outdoor fire bowl for aroma

Winter Savoury in the Kitchen

Traditionally paired with beans, lentils and pulses. Excellent with root vegetables and slow-cooked dishes. Use sparingly — flavour is strong and peppery. Add early in cooking to allow flavours to mellow.

Winter savoury is often described as the bean herb — robust, savoury and grounding.

Winter savoury won’t shout for attention, but it will quietly do its job year after year. Hardy, useful and deeply rooted in traditional kitchen gardening, it’s a perfect herb for anyone wanting dependable plants with genuine purpose.

If you value low-fuss, high-reward herbs, winter savoury deserves a place in your garden.

This guide is intended for general information and interest only and reflects traditional, non-medical uses of herbs.