Common Name: Thyme-Leaved Savory

General Information

Satureja thymbra is a much-branched shrub forming a dome shape; it can grow around 20 - 40cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Mediterranean - Sardinia, Greece, Crete, Turkey, Cyprus, Lebanon, Israel, Libya

Habitat

Sunny positions on dry rocky hills[, ]. Dry scrub, especially calcareous phrygana; at elevations from sea level to 400 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	0.40 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Species in this genus will generally tolerate winter temperatures occasionally falling as low as -10°c, though this species does not like moist climates and will often not survive the winter in countries such as the UK[].
Requires a sunny position in a well-drained soil[]. Plants are intolerant of soils that remain damp[]. Prefers a neutral to alkaline soil[].
Plants can be grown as annuals in countries where they do not overwinter outdoors, flowering and setting seed in their first year of growth[]. Plants will be hardier in soils that are very well drained and also if the soil is a bit on the poor side[].
A good bee plant[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[].

Edible Uses

The leaves have a thyme-like flavour and are used as a seasoning for pulses, savoury breads, brine-cured olives, vegetables etc[, , , ].
The leaves and young shoots are used as a tea substitute. It is said that this make one of the best-tasting of all herb teas[].

Medicinal

The leaves are antibacterial, aromatic, digestive, expectorant and tonic[, ]. They are used internally to treat minor digestive discomfort and bronchial congestion[]. The leaves are harvested during the growing season and can be used fresh or dried[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The flowers are very attractive to bees, providing a good source of nectar[].

Other Uses

A strong infusion of the herb is used in the autumn to clean wine barrels in preparation for the new vintage[].
An essential oil is obtained from the plant, it contains 19% thymol[] and is also rich in carvacrol[]. It is used in the pharmaceutical industry[]..

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in mid spring in a greenhouse. Do not allow the compost to dry out. Germination can be slow and erratic[] but usually takes place within a month[]. 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[].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm taken at a node, mid summer 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[].
Cuttings of young wood, preferably with a heel, mid spring in a frame[, ]. 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[].
Division in early spring as growth commences[, ]. This works best if soil has been mounded up into the bottom 20cm of the plant early in the previous summer[]. Pot up the divisions and grow them on in a cold frame until they are established. Plant them out in the summer.