When to Plant Savory in Brisbane, Subtropical Guide

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

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

This Savory guide is written for the Subtropical zone, which takes in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth

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.

Planting Calendar for Subtropical

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

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

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Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 20.4°C (optimal range: 18–30°C) ✓ Ready to plant

That figure is read off my own weather station here at Dayboro in South East Queensland at 18:55 yesterday, not a model. The radar, the rain gauge and the forecasts behind it sit on Dayboro.au.

How to Grow Savory in Subtropical Australia

When to Plant

Summer savory: sow Mar-May and Aug-Oct. Winter savory: plant Mar-May.

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

Subtropical Growing Tips for Savory

Recommended Varieties

  • Summer savory
  • Winter savory

Key Challenges

  • Summer humidity for winter savory

Pro Tips

  • Summer savory in autumn and spring
  • Winter savory in well-drained raised bed

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 subtropical zone this September: Lemongrass, Ginger, Beetroot and Chilli Peppers.

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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 Brisbane?

No. In the Subtropical zone the planting months are Aug to Oct. 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 Subtropical zone, Brisbane is its reference city.