Satureja douglasii Indian Mint

Satureja douglasii Indian Mint is neither a mint nor Indian. It is actually an astonishing Mexican savory plant that is particularly aromatic, spreading as ground cover or draping down in long curtains when grown at a height. It is appreciated both in hanging baskets and in the vegetable garden, and is used in infusions and enhances the flavour of salads and cocktails with its pleasant peppermint aroma. In summer, bees love its tiny white flowers. This tender perennial can only be grown in open ground in regions that are not affected by frost. Everywhere else, it is grown as an annual or in pots to be protected from frost. 

Satureja douglasii (also known as Clinopodium douglasii), also called Douglas Savory, is a perennial plant in the mint family, closely related to mint and thyme. This 'yerba buena' of Spanish settlers is native to the west coast of the United States (California) and Mexico. In the wild, it grows in dry areas with low annual precipitation but almost no winter frost.

Indian Mint develops long, slender, and flexible stems up to 2m (7ft) long in a single season. When these stems come into contact with the ground, they root in place. They bear small round leaves, 2cm (1in) long, light green, strongly veined, with toothed edges, and exuding a powerful menthol aroma. The foliage persists all year round above freezing temperatures. Flowering occurs in summer, from June to August. Along the stems, at the axils of the leaves, small white or slightly lilac-pink flowers with two lips appear, which are very attractive to bees and rich in nectar. The city of San Francisco was once called Yerba Buena, named after this beautiful savory plant that was abundant there. Its hardiness does not exceed -5°C (23°F), for a short period of time and in dry soil.

Easy to grow but frost-sensitive, Indian Mint is a plant that is both beautiful and useful and makes a great impression in hanging baskets. It will also find its place in the vegetable garden as well as in a rockery in the ornamental garden or in a container on the terrace or balcony. It will create a stunning cascading effect when planted in simple bags filled with potting soil and hung on a wall. The leaves can be harvested as needed, with fresh leaves being much more aromatic. Its only requirements in pots are a warm and sunny exposure and slightly moist soil. It has rapid growth and can be used as ground cover in sunny flower beds as an annual; in open ground, this savory plant is drought resistant. It can be paired with e.g. rosemary, thyme, Dichondra repens, Muehlenbeckia complexa.

Please note that our young plug plants are professional products intended for experienced gardeners: upon receipt, transplant them and store them under cover (veranda, greenhouse, cold frame etc.) at a temperature above 14°C (57.2°F) for a few weeks before planting them outdoors once the risk of frost has passed.