Sage
Salvia officinalis
Also known as
Garden Sage, Culinary Sage, Common Sage, Salie (Afr.)
Salvia officinalis0 by [1] (CC-BY-SA-3.0)
Full Sun
Easy care
Moderate watering
Frost Hardy
4a-8b
USDA zone
-34°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
|---|---|---|
60cm | Max | 60cm |
50cm | Min | 50cm |
2 years to reach maturity
Flowering
spring
summer
autumn
winter
This plant has a mild fragrance
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Sage Overview
Salvia officinalis is an attractive, hardy, low maintenance, evergreen sub-shrub from the Lamiaceae family. It copes well with poor soil conditions and drought. It typically grows to around 75cm in height. This plant has been used to produce many cultivars with more showy, multicoloured leaves. It is known by many common names including Common Sage, Sage, Garden Sage and Kitchen Sage. This plant has many uses, including culinary, medicinal, insect repellent or ornamental. It is grown for the aromatic foliage, leaves possess fine veins and are coloured grey-green. Flowers are pale blue, borne on short flower spikes and they appear from early summer. This species is part of the Royal Horticultural Society “Plants for Pollinators” initiative to showcase plants which support pollinator populations by providing ample amounts of nectar and/ or pollen. A great choice for encouraging pollinating insect wildlife into your garden!
Common problems with Sage
Sage is susceptible to stem rot and whiteflies.
Sage Companion Plants
How to harvest Sage
Leaves can be harvested throughout the year, preferably before the flowers open. Harvest lightly in the first year to ensure that the plant grows fully. Sage is best fresh but can be frozen or dried.
How to propagate Sage
Seed
Start seeds indoors in frost areas 6-10 weeks before transplanting or sow seeds directly in Spring and Summer. Germination takes 2 weeks.
Cuttings
Take half ripe stem or shoot cuttings 5-10 cm long or mature cuttings 7-10 cm long from Spring to Autumn and plant out directly. Keep moist until well-rooted
Division
Divide plants in Spring.
Layering
Air layer in Spring or Autumn.
Special features of Sage
Attracts bees
Attracts butterflies
Repels harmful insects
Sage repels ants, black flea beetle, cabbage fly, cabbage looper and cabbage maggot.
Drought resistant
Pot plant
Sage makes a good potted plant, but provide good drainage.
Other uses of Sage
Culinary, border, foliage, fragrance, walls, rock garden, conservatory, medicinal
Edible
The leaves are edible and have a savoury, slightly peppery flavour. The flowers and leaves can be eaten raw, cooked, boiled or pickled.
Medicinal
Used as a homoeopathic medicine. The oil is thought to have astringent and stimulant properties and soothe muscle stiffness, rheumatism, and neuralgic conditions. It is antiseptic and anti-viral.
Plants for Summer Cuttings
Some of the many plants which you can take semi-ripe cuttings from in summer.
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Edibles to Sow Under Cover in March.
Get an early start on the growing year, try these on a sunny windowsill or in a heated propagator
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