Practical
Plants

Satureja spicigera

Creeping Savory

a perennial member of the Satureja genus in the family Labiatae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Labiatae
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.05 m
Spread
0.6 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves - raw or cooked[9]. A peppery flavour, they are used mainly as a flavouring for cooked dishes, especially beans, but are also used as a garnish for salads etc[4]. They have a stronger flavour than summer savory (S. hortensis)[9]. The leaves can be used fresh or dried[4].

Product or use
Condiment

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The whole herb, and especially the flowering shoots, is antiseptic, aromatic, carminative, digestive, expectorant and stomachic[12][14][2][7]. Taken internally, it is said to be a sovereign remedy for colic and a cure for flatulence[12], whilst it is also used to treat nausea, diarrhoea, bronchial congestion, sore throat and menstrual disorders[9]. It should not be prescribed for pregnant women[9]. A sprig of the plant, rubbed onto bee or wasp stings, brings instant relief[12]. The plant is harvested in the summer when in flower and can be used fresh or dried[9]. The essential oil forms an ingredient in lotions for the scalp in cases of incipient baldness[14]. An ointment made from the plant is used externally to relieve arthritic joints[14].

Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Aromatic
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Digestive
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Stings
Product or use
Stomachic

Environment

Range
W. Asia - Iran, Caucasus.
Habitat
Not known
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - surface sow in April in a greenhouse. Do not allow the compost to dry out. Germination can be slow and erratic[1] but usually takes place within a month[K]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. It is usually possible to plant out into their permanent positions during the summer, but if the plants have not grown sufficiently, or if you live in an area of cold winters, it might be best to grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year[K]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm taken at a node, July/August in a frame. Pot up in autumn and overwinter in a frame, planting out in late spring or early summer of the following year. A high percentage usually succeed[15]. Cuttings of young wood, preferably with a heel, April/May in a frame[1][11]. Plant out in the summer if the plants grow well, otherwise overwinter them in a cold frame and plant out in late spring or early summer of the following year[K]. Division in early spring as growth commences[15][5]. This works best if soil has been mounded up into the bottom 20cm of the plant early in the previous summer[15]. Pot up the divisions and grow them on in a cold frame until they are established. Plant them out in the summer.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An easily grown plant when given suitable conditions, it prefers a well-drained poor stony soil[12][2][10][13] and succeeds in a hot dry sunny position[5]. It prefers an alkaline soil[5], though is not too fussy. It is intolerant of soils that remain damp and dislikes shade[5]. Plants are hardy to at least -10°c[5] when grown in suitable conditions, but are less hardy in rich soils or damp conditions[K]. A good bee plant[5]. A good companion plant in the garden, growing especially well with onions and beans[6]. The plant is said to inhibit the germination of certain seeds[3]. Secretions from the seeds can prevent the germination of nearby seeds[6]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[8].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7

    ↩1↩2

  3. Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 1979-00-00

    ↩

  4. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  6. Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-304-34324-2

    ↩1↩2

  7. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩

  8. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  9. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  10. Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8

    ↩

  11. Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. 1878-00-00

    ↩

  12. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  13. Larkcom. J. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn 1980-00-00

    ↩

  14. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  15. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

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