Summer Savory in Zone 11a & 11b
Satureja hortensis
When to plant summer savory in zone 11b
Zones 11a and 11b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Summer Savory tolerates either.
| Start indoors | Nov 20–Nov 27 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Jan 1–Jan 8 |
| Estimated harvest | Mar 2–Mar 9 (~60 days after planting) |
Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 5-7 in.

Summer savory is a low, bushy annual with a peppery, thyme-adjacent flavor that's traditionally paired with beans so often its German name, Bohnenkraut, translates directly to "bean herb." It's milder and less woody than its perennial cousin, winter savory, and dies back completely each fall rather than persisting.
How summer savory fits zone 11's season
Zone 11b is frost-free in this dataset, so frost is not what limits the calendar here. What you can plant, and when, comes down to summer heat and daylength instead.
Good companions
No standout companions recorded yet for Summer Savory.
Where to buy summer savory seeds
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing summer savory" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 11b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →

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Growing Summer Savory in USDA zone 11b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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