Winter Savory in Zone 8a & 8b
Satureja montana
When to plant winter savory in zone 8b
Zones 8a and 8b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. Winter Savory needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Start indoors | Feb 4–Feb 11 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 1–Apr 8 |
| Estimated harvest | Jun 30–Jul 7 (~90 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 0.5-1 ft.

Winter savory is the perennial half of the savory family, a low, woody-based plant with a sharper, more resinous flavor than annual summer savory. The trade for that stronger flavor is a plant that survives winter outdoors in zones 4-8, coming back on its own rather than needing to be sown fresh every spring.
How winter savory fits zone 8's season
Zone 8b's frost-free window runs about 230 days, from March 25 to November 10. Winter Savory needs about 90 days from transplant to first harvest.
Good companions
No standout companions recorded yet for Winter Savory.
Where to buy winter savory seeds
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing winter savory" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 8b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →

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Growing Winter Savory in USDA zone 8b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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