When to Plant Savory in Perth, Mediterranean Guide

Sow August to November. Right now in October you can sow.

Planting window
Summer savory: Sow in spring for picking through summer, and water well in the heat. It grows the same way in Perth and Adelaide, but in...
Days to harvest
50 days
Sunlight
Full sun for both types.
Water needs
Moderate. Allow to dry between waterings. Less water-demanding than parsley but more than...
Spacing
25cm apart, 35cm between rows
Soil pH
6.5-7.5

Published · Last reviewed · By GardenBuddy.au
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Savory guide is written for the Mediterranean zone, which takes in Perth, Adelaide and Bunbury. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Two related herbs: Summer savory (S. hortensis) is an annual with a delicate peppery-thyme flavour, traditional with beans. Winter savory (S. montana) is a perennial evergreen subshrub with a stronger, more pungent flavour. Both are underrated in Australian gardens. Summer savory is the more versatile culinarily; winter savory is the more practical grower.

See what grows now in your own postcode

Planting Calendar for Mediterranean

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
- - - - - - - S S/T/D S/T/D T/D -

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

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Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 16.9°C (optimal range: 18–30°C) ✗ Outside optimal range

Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Perth), not a live sensor.

What this month normally looks like

In October the Mediterranean zone normally runs 22°C by day and 10°C overnight, with about 38 mm of rain over 6 or 7 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was -0.2°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 19 postcodes, SILO.

How to Grow Savory in Mediterranean Australia

When to Plant

Summer savory: Sow in spring for picking through summer, and water well in the heat. It grows the same way in Perth and Adelaide, but in inland Adelaide and the hills sow after the frosts. Winter savory is a hardy, drought-tolerant perennial best started from cuttings or potted plants, although seed can be sown in spring. It suits Perth sands and Adelaide's alkaline soils, as long as drainage is good.

Soil
Well-drained, light soil. Lean to moderate fertility. Both types dislike wet feet.
pH Range
6.5-7.5
Sunlight
Full sun for both types.
Spacing
25cm apart, 35cm between rows
Watering
Moderate. Allow to dry between waterings. Less water-demanding than parsley but more than rosemary.

Companion plants: Beans (traditional companion), Onion

Mediterranean Growing Tips for Savory

Recommended Varieties

  • Summer savory
  • Winter savory

Key Challenges

  • None significant

Pro Tips

  • Native Mediterranean climate suits both
  • Excellent zone

Harvesting Savory

When ready: Summer savory: harvest once 15cm+ tall, before flowering. Winter savory: harvest year-round from established plant.

How to harvest: Snip stem tips. Summer savory: cut entire plant at base when flowering begins for maximum harvest. Winter savory: light regular snipping.

Where to next

Also worth sowing in the mediterranean zone this October: Lemongrass, Radish, Zucchini and Beetroot.

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Common Questions About Savory

When do you plant savory in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Does savory grow all year round in Perth?

No. In the Mediterranean zone the planting months are Aug to Nov. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Mediterranean zone, Perth is its reference city.