Satureja montana

Satureja montana (montana referring to Mountains) is also known as Winter Savory, Mountain Savory, or Winter Savoury. It is a semi-evergreen perennial. It belongs to the Lamiaceae family of plants. It is native to Southern Europe, the Mediterranean as well as North Africa. Closely related to the Summer Savory it can grow up to 40cm or 16in. It was first published by Carl Linnaeus in Species Plantarum. It is a great addition to borders or wildlife gardens.

Satureja montana leaves are an oval-lanceolate and darker green. The small flowers that appear in summer are purple, pink, or white on spikes. Propagate by softwood cuttings in the summer. Satureja montana is easy to grow. Plant Winter Savory in moist but well-drained soil in the sun or partial shade but ensures at least six hours of exposure. You can prune back old growth in the early spring but even if you don’t they will sprout green leaves. It is pest-free and disease-free.

Satureja montana is used as an herb cooked with meats and fish. It is also used as medicinal purposes both for antiseptics and expectorant. It also has been claimed that helps colic and flatulence. Also it is claimed that ointment made from the plant helps with arthritic joint pain when applied externally.