This herb has been prized for years for its culinary and ornamental potential.
Sage offers you handsome evergreen foliage in the form of asmall mounding shrub.
Plant sage after the last frost in a sunny spot with well-draining, sandy soil.
Salvia farinaceaPollinators love this heat-tolerant plant with blue or white blooms.Echinacea’Hot Lava’Flaming orange-red petals lend jaunty pops of color.Credit: Robbie Caponetto
It can grow quickly, maturing and spreading to 3 feet tall and wide.
Heres how to grow and care for this versatile herb.
Its velvety gray-green color blends well with the deeper greens of perennials or other herbs.
Credit: Norma Murace Melia / EyeEm / Getty Images
It thrives in sunny, humid locations with well-draining soil and does well in rocky or sandy areas.
It can take some shade but not wet soil.
Give it shelter from the wind.
Studio shot of sage.Credit: Daniel Grill
Light
Sage grows best in a sunny location with well-drained soil.
For quickest results, start with purchased transplants in spring or fall.
Soil
Plant sage in well-drained, sandy soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0.
Credit: © Marie Iannotti
Add sand along with organic matter to clay soil to improve drainage.
Sage will not tolerate wet, soggy, or poorly draining soil.
Plant it in a container or raised bed if the soil is not well-draining.
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Water
Sage will tolerate drought and poor soil fertility but will produce better with consistent water.
Sage likes to dry out occasionally.
In the absence of rain, water to keep the area around the root ball moist.
Fertilizer
Add a slow-releasefertilizerto the soil at planting, and fertilize each spring.
Because sage is woody, cut out the oldest growth to help stimulate new growth.
In late spring, spikes of pinkish purple flowers will appear.
How To Propagate Sage
Sage becomes very woody after about five years and its harvest decreases.
Propagating is an easy way tostart new plantsin your garden.
Sage ispropagated by stem cuttingsand can be done anytime during the growing season.
Keep the soil moist, making sure it doesn’t get soggy.
Seedlings should appear in two to three weeks.
Thin or transplant once the seedlings have developed two or three sets of leaves.
Clay pots work well because they dry out quickly.
Use one thats 8 inches wide and deep with drainage holes.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
Commongarden pestslike spider mites, whitefly, and aphids can cause problems.
Treat infestations with insecticidal soap.
Diseases are not typically a problem for sage, but they can occur.
Sage is susceptible to rot and powdery mildew, which are sparked by soil that is too moist.
Keep plants thinned to provide good air circulation and dont overwater to prevent these issues.
Even then, sage may succumb to humidity in midsummer.
Pinch one leaf at a time, or cut an entire stem for a larger harvest.
Use sage fresh, dried, or frozen.
It prefers sunny locations with well-draining soil.
If the soil is too moist, let it dry out.
Drooping Leaves
Leaves that hang lifelessly indicate care issues.
Both overwatering and underwatering can cause drooping leaves.
You may need to adjust the plants exposure to the sun.
If its too hot, the leaves will droop, and colder temperatures can also cause drooping.
Grow sage in a bright spot out of hot afternoon sun.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sage is a perennial in zones 5-8 and comes back every spring.
In zones 9 and farther south, sage is grown as an annual.
They become woody after five years and their harvest decreases.
If an older plant isnt doing well, it may be time to propagate.
Pollinators like butterflies and bees are attracted to it.
Sage does well planted in the ground or in containers.
ensure it has sandy, well-draining soil and gets full sun.
