Satureja spinosa Care
Satureja spinosa
A thorny shrub native to dry, sunny and rocky Mediterranean slopes, growing in a cushion form and extremely tolerant of drought. Ideal for rock gardens; its care consists of planting it in a perfectly drained spot and leaving it entirely alone.
Monthly care calendar
Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.
- General care: The most important rule: excellent drainage; waterlogging is fatal.
- Pests & diseases: Crown rot is the only risk.
- Pruning: Remove only tips that dried out in winter.
- General care: Mix plenty of gravel and sand into the soil for planting.
- Pests & diseases: Watch out for the risk of root rot.
- Frost risk: Protect newly planted seedlings from severe frosts.
- Watering: Only for newly planted seedlings, if it stays dry, give a single rescue watering of 2-3 L.
- General care: Leave it alone.
- General care: It continues its natural growth.
- General care: Drainage is vital for this plant. In heavy, water-retaining soil, plant on a mound or bed raised 20-30 cm, and keep the root collar above the surrounding soil level.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- General care: It produces small white-pink flowers that attract bees.
- Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. Water the area around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
- Pruning: Prune as soon as flowering ends. Next year's flower buds form over the summer; late pruning reduces flowering.
- General care: It needs no care.
- Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. Water the area around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
- Pruning: Light pruning can be continued.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- General care: Its seeds ripen.
- General care: It prepares for winter. At the first rains, check that water does not collect at the base of the plant.
- Pests & diseases: The risk of root rot begins.
- General care: In winter rains, make sure water does not pool in the root zone; for this plant, drainage is more critical than irrigation.
- Frost risk: Protect newly planted seedlings during the first winter.
- General care: Evergreen leaves continue to lose water in winter. Water thoroughly once before the soil freezes.
- Pests & diseases: Make sure drainage is good against the risk of root rot.
The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.
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