Savory (Satureja)

The Satureja is a plant that can be either in pots or in the ground, why so interesting cultivar. In addition, it produces flowers that, although they are small, brighten up the place where it is.

And if we add to that that there are different varieties and that some of them are used as aromatic herbs, we can only continue to tell you about this incredible botanical genre.

Origin and characteristics of savory

Satureja, known as savory or hyssop, is a genus of about 50 species of herbs and small shrubs native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Its leaves are opposite, oval or lanceolate, and are 1 to 3 centimeters long.

During spring they produce numerous flowers in clusters, white to purplish, and 1 to 2 centimeters in diameter. For this reason, they are plants with a high ornamental value.

Main species

Of the 50 species of savory that exist, the best known are the following:

Satureja fruticosa

Image – Wikimedia/ Javier martin

The Satureja fruticosa (synonym Micromeria fruticosa ) is an evergreen shrub plant native to the Mediterranean region known as white póleo. It reaches a height of 20 to 60 centimeters, and its leaves are ovate-lanceolate, with petioles, and with the entire margin or somewhat toothed. It blooms from summer to fall (July-October in the Northern Hemisphere), and its flowers are white or pink.

Applications

Apart from being used as an ornamental plant, it has medicinal properties that cannot be ignored. In fact, it is astringent, antiseptic, diuretic, expectorant, and antifungal.

Satureja hortensis

Image – Wikimedia/ Bogdan

The Satureja hortensis is an annual herb native to Europe known as summer savory. It reaches a height of 30 to 60 centimeters, and develops stems with very thin green leaves. It blooms in summer, producing pink flowers.

Applications

It is widely used as a medicinal plant because it is antiseptic, astringent and calorific. It is also consumed to eliminate intestinal parasites, alleviate the symptoms of gout and bronchial ailments. As a poultice, it is good against -slight- skin conditions.

Intricate saturation

The Satureja intricata is a woody plant endemic to the Iberian Peninsula that reaches a height of 40 centimeters. The leaves are obovate, green, and its flowers are grouped in inflorescences during the summer.

Applications

It is widely used as a condiment and to make olives in the »Camporeal» style. Now, its collection from the natural environment could lead to extinction, so do not hesitate to buy some seeds or plants in a nursery or store to grow your own plants in your home.

Montana saturation

Image – Wikimedia/ Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova

The Satureja montana is a semi-woody perennial native to southern Europe that reaches a height of 50 centimeters. Its leaves are opposite, oval-lanceolate, and green. It blooms during the summer-fall, producing white flowers grouped in clusters.

Applications

It is used as an ornamental garden plant, for example to mark paths. Due to its size, it is also ideal for growing in a pot. Likewise, it is excellent as a medicinal product, as it has antiseptic, aromatic, digestive, expectorant and carminative properties.

Satureja obovata

Image – Wikimedia/ Philmarin

The Satureja obovata, known as thin savory, is a woody kills in its native base Iberian Peninsula that reaches a height of 20 to 60 centimeters. Its leaves are whole, obovate-spatulate, opposite and very aromatic, green in color. Its flowers are grouped in pinkish-whitish inflorescences, and sprout in summer.

Applications

As a medicinal plant. It is digestive, antispasmodic, antidiarrheal, stimulating, tonic and antiseptic. It is also used as an antiseptic and external wound healing.

What are the care you need?

If you dare to grow some Satureja in your garden or in a pot, we recommend providing the following care:

Location

It is important that it is put in a sunny exhibition, outside, since this will allow it to grow well.

Earth

• Pot: you can fill it with universal substrate mixed with 30% perlite. Of course, the container must have holes in its base through which the water can escape.
• Garden: grows in soils rich in organic matter, with good drainage.

Irrigation

Image – Flickr/ sarah faulwetter

Water your Satureja 3-4 times a week during the summer, and 1-2 weekly the rest of the year. When in doubt, check the moisture of the soil or substrate, for example by inserting a thin wooden stick. In addition, it is highly advisable to water at dusk, when the sun is out, since in this way the soil or substrate will remain moist for longer.

Subscriber

Throughout the growing and flowering season, that is, from spring to late summer, it is advisable to fertilize the savory with some organic fertilizer, such as compost, mulch or guano.

Multiplication

The savory is multiplied by seeds in spring. For this, they have to be sown in small individual pots, about 6.5 cm in diameter, with universal substrate.

These seedbeds should be placed outside, in full sun, and kept moist but not flooded. Thus, they will germinate in about 3-5 days.

Planting or transplanting time

In spring it will be a good time to plant it in the garden or orchard, or to change it pot.

Rusticity

In general, it resists cold and frost down to -7ºC.

Image – Wikimedia/ Salicyna

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