How to Plant and Grow Common Sage


Salvia officinalis

Common, culinary, broadleaf, or golden sage, Salvia officinalis, is a Mediterranean herb in the mint family that is grown as a perennial in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 8.

This shrubby perennial has aromatic, grayish-green leaves and spikes of two-lipped lavender flowers.

It’s used fresh or dried by cooks and herbalists around the world, and its flavor is described as astringent, and sweet/bitter.

Close up of Common Sage growing in a herb patch.Close up of Common Sage growing in a herb patch.

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In this article, I’ll cover all you need to know to cultivate common sage in your garden.

S. officinalis is grown as an herb, ground cover, and ornamental.

The genus name, Salvia comes from the Latin “to save,” and “officinalis” is derived from the Latin word officia, which refers to the plant’s standing as a healing herb.

Quick Look

Common name(s): Common or Culinary Sage

Plant type: Perennial herb

Hardiness (USDA Zone): 4-8

Native to: Mediterranean

Season: Spring-fall

Exposure: Full sun

Soil type: Average, well draining

Soil pH: 5.6-7.8, acidic to alkaline

Time to maturity: 75 days

Spacing: 12-36 inches

Planting depth: 1/8 inch (seeds)

Mature size: 1-3 feet wide x 1-3 feet high

Water Needs: Low to moderate

Taxonomy

Order: Lamiales

Family: Lamiaceae

Genus: Salvia

Species: officinalis

Cultivars: Standard species. Aurea, Berggarten, Icterina, Purpurascens, Tricolor

Its use dates at least as far back as the Middle Ages, when it was prized by religious practitioners, herbalists, and cooks for its holy, healing, and nourishing properties.

From its origins in the Mediterranean region, it has naturalized around the world.

Today in the United States, its aromatic leaves are best known as a staple ingredient in holiday turkey stuffing, dressing, or filling, depending on where you come from.

And while the leaves appeal to people, the nectar-rich blossoms attract beneficial insects, like bees and butterflies, by the dozen.

Close up of the blue-green, slightly fuzzy foliage of Salvia officinalis growing in the garden.Close up of the blue-green, slightly fuzzy foliage of Salvia officinalis growing in the garden.

They are good for the garden because they prey on insect pests and promote pollination.

Plants thrive in full sun with average soil that drains well. They tolerate pH levels ranging from 5.6 to 7.8.

A close up, background of Salvia officinalis foliage with gray-green leaves.A close up, background of Salvia officinalis foliage with gray-green leaves.

They have a clumping growth habit, with mature dimensions of between 12 and 36 inches tall and wide.

For those outside Zones 4 to 8, this plant can be grown as an annual.

In addition, it makes an excellent container plant both outdoors and indoors.

Common sage is not the only edible Salvia species. Other types include bee or white sage (S. apiana), chia (S. columbariae), and pineapple sage (S. elegans).

Close up of the purple blooms of Salvia officinalis growing in the garden.Close up of the purple blooms of Salvia officinalis growing in the garden.

There are also numerous non-edible, ornamental types of sage including blue (S. azurea), purple (S. dorrii), scarlet (S. splendens), and woodland (S. nemerosa).

To avoid confusion, it is essential to read your seed packets and plant labels thoroughly so you know exactly what kind you’re buying!

How to Grow

Growing S. officinalis is easy as long as you follow a few key bits of advice and is great starter plant for beginners.

Light

Find a location in full sun. Part shade is tolerated, but plants are likely to become leggy and not bloom as abundantly with less sunshine.

Soil

Work the soil to a crumbly consistency to a depth of 10 to 12 inches. If it is compacted, you may add some compost or builder’s sand to loosen it.

Excellent drainage is essential, as plants that stand in water are likely to suffer root rot.

A close up of a small Salvia officinalis plant set out in the garden, with rich soil in the background in soft focus.A close up of a small Salvia officinalis plant set out in the garden, with rich soil in the background in soft focus.

Some folks like to mound the soil up, as you would to grow squash, to promote water run-off.

Transplanting

To transplant seedlings, cuttings, divisions, or nursery starts to the garden, acclimate them gradually to the outdoors if temperatures are still falling below 50°F.

Set them in a sheltered area outside to “harden off” for a few hours each day, over the course of four or five days.

Increase the time a little each day, and transplant when temperatures are sufficiently warm.

Place transplants into the prepared bed at the same depth they were growing in their containers.

Water

Keep the soil moist, but don’t overwater.

Once established, water when the soil is dry and never over-water. This plant exhibits above average drought tolerance.

Container Growing

Sage has shallow roots that make it well-suited to container gardening.

A close up of a small Salvia officinalis plant growing in a wooden container, set on an outdoor table.A close up of a small Salvia officinalis plant growing in a wooden container, set on an outdoor table.

Choose pots that can accommodate the mature width of the variety you have chosen. Remember that containers tend to dry out before ground soil, so you may need to water more often.

Companion Planting

While it is an easy plant to grow, S. officinalis gets along well with some plants, and not with others, as its intense aroma can impact their flavor.

Good companions are carrots, cole crops like broccoli and cauliflower, strawberries, tomatoes, and rosemary.

A mature Salvia officinalis plant growing in the summer garden, pictured in bright sunshine, on a soft focus background.A mature Salvia officinalis plant growing in the summer garden, pictured in bright sunshine, on a soft focus background.

Place it well away from alliums like onion and garlic, cucumbers, and fennel.

Some gardeners grow sage as an ornamental, using it as border edging, or a front to mid-bed placement.

In cool regions where it grows as an annual, it will die to the ground each year, giving you a chance to switch up your planting scheme.

In warm locales where it is an evergreen perennial, it tends to become woody. Each spring, prune off the old growth when the new shoots start to appear.

Cultivars to Select

Botanical species S. officinalis and cultivated varieties are readily available to the home gardener.

As described, the true species of common sage, as found in the wild, has gray-green leaves and lavender-blue flowers.

A close up of Salvia officinalis growing in the garden with parsley in soft focus in the background.A close up of Salvia officinalis growing in the garden with parsley in soft focus in the background.

S. officinalis – Common Sage

Plants reach mature heights of 18 to 24 inches.

Find S. officinalis seeds in a variety of packet sizes available from Eden Brothers.

Cultivars offer a number of options with purple, yellow, and variegated leaves, as well as white, pink, or lavender-blue blossoms.

Aurea

S. officinalis ‘Aurea’ is a golden sage with green and yellow leaves, lavender-blue flowers.

A close up of the green and yellow leaves of Salvia officinalis 'Aurea' pictured in bright sunshine.A close up of the green and yellow leaves of Salvia officinalis 'Aurea' pictured in bright sunshine.
S. officinalis ‘Aurea’

This variety grows to a mature height and width of 12 to 18 inches.

Berggarten

Noteworthy for having especially large leaves, S. officinalis ‘Berggarten’ puts most of its efforts into leaf production, and produces few blossoms.

A close up of the foliage of Salvia officinalis 'Berggarten' growing in the garden, pictured in light sunshine.A close up of the foliage of Salvia officinalis 'Berggarten' growing in the garden, pictured in light sunshine.

‘Berggarten’

It has lavender-blue flowers and reaches heights of 18 to 24 inches.

Find ‘Berggarten’ starter plants available from Burpee in packages of three.

Icterina

A golden sage, S. officinalis ‘Icterina’ has variegated leaves of green and yellow, and lavender-blue flowers.

A close up of the variegated leaves of Salvia officinalis 'Icterina' pictured in light sunshine.A close up of the variegated leaves of Salvia officinalis 'Icterina' pictured in light sunshine.
S. officinalis ‘Icterina’

Expect a mature height of 12 to 24 inches.

Purpurascens

Purple leaves and lavender-blue blossoms characterize S. officinalis ‘Purpurascens.’

A close up of the dark green foliage of Salvia officinalis 'Purpurascens' growing in the garden.A close up of the dark green foliage of Salvia officinalis 'Purpurascens' growing in the garden.

‘Purpurascens’

Mature heights range between 12 and 24 inches.

Find a set of three starter plants available from Burpee.

Tricolor

True to its name, S. officinalis ‘Tricolor’ has leaves of green, purple, and white.

A close up of the tricolored leaves of Salvia officinalis 'Tricolor' with white, green, and purple foliage.A close up of the tricolored leaves of Salvia officinalis 'Tricolor' with white, green, and purple foliage.

The flowers are lavender-blue, and mature heights are between 12 and 18 inches.

Propagation

S. officinalis is easy to propagate from seed, stem cuttings, by division, and nursery starts.

From Seed

Start seeds indoors up to eight weeks prior to the last frost date, or sow them directly outdoors after all risk of frost has passed. Sow to a depth of 1/8-inch.

To direct sow after the danger of spring frost has passed, sprinkle seeds on moist soil and barely cover them.

Keep the soil moist, but not soggy, while they germinate.

When seedlings have two sets of true leaves, thin them to accommodate mature dimensions ranging from 12 to 36 inches, depending on the variety.

From Stem Cuttings

In the spring, cut a four- to six-inch length of stem with a growing tip. Pinch off the bottom two inches of leaves to expose a bare stem. Dip the end into food-safe powdered rooting hormone, if desired.

Place the stem in a glass of water, taking care that no leaves are below the water’s surface. Keep it in a location with indirect light and change the water daily.

When roots form, you can transplant the rooted cutting to the garden, as described below.

By Division

Divide perennial plants in early spring to make additional ones.

To do this, dig up the entire plant, and using a garden knife or shovel, cut the plant into two or more sections.

When you transplant, maintain the same depth in their new placement.

You can learn more about dividing perennials in this guide.

Pests and Disease

S. officinalis is not prone to disease or pest issues when grown under optimal conditions.

A close up of Salvia officinalis 'Tricolor' suffering from rust, pictured on a soft focus background.A close up of Salvia officinalis 'Tricolor' suffering from rust, pictured on a soft focus background.
S. officinalis ‘Tricolor’ with signs of rust.

This includes:

  • A location with full sun
  • Sufficient watering that is neither deficient nor excessive
  • Soil that drains well
  • Ample airflow around plants achieved by proper spacing and weeding

When plants are underwatered or oversaturated, or have inadequate airflow, they may become vulnerable to sap-sucking pests such as aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, spittlebugs, thrips, and whiteflies.

With excess water, shady placements, and overcrowding, fungal conditions like leaf spot, powdery mildew, and rust may occur.

Damp conditions may also invite slugs that nibble roots and leaves, contributing to stem and root rot.

Treatment methods for sap-suckers include a firm spray with a hose and treatment with food-grade insecticidal soap.

Fungal infections may respond to food-grade fungicides.

There are various slug-away remedies, but once roots are rotten, plants are unlikely to recover.

Note that while it may sound like a good idea to apply a layer of mulch around plants to inhibit weed growth, this is not recommended as it can cause the soil to retain too much moisture.

Give plants every opportunity to succeed with best practices, and you are not likely to have issues. And don’t worry about deer, because the aroma doesn’t seem to appeal to them.

Harvesting

The stems, leaves, and flowers of common sage are edible.

For perennial growers in the warmest regions, they are available for harvesting year-round.

Human hands hold freshly harvested culinary sage leaves.Human hands hold freshly harvested culinary sage leaves.

Some folks like to pinch growing tips regularly to keep plants from flowering, claiming it results in better leaf flavor.

However, you may let plants flower, especially if you want to use the dainty blossoms as a garnish.

Throughout the growing season, periodically pinch off flowers, stems, and leaves to promote new growth.

To harvest leaves, pinch them off with your thumbnail, or snips, at the base where they meet the stem.

Fresh culinary sage, tea, and flower petals on a maple wooden table.Fresh culinary sage, tea, and flower petals on a maple wooden table.

Do the same for individual blossoms, or snip off entire flower stems just below the bottom row of blooms.

You can harvest up to half of a plant at one time during the growing season. Doing so encourages a more rounded and bushier plant, and slows the flowering and seed producing process.

In zones where the herb is a perennial, many folks retire a plant after three or four years if it becomes too woody. However, as mentioned, you can revitalize and retain optimal flavor with judicious pruning.

Preserving

Freshly harvested sage leaves will keep for three to four days in the refrigerator. Simply wrap them in a paper towel, and place in a plastic bag.

You can dry the leaves by tying stems together and hanging them in a cool, dry location. Alternatively, you can use a dehydrator or oven on a low setting.

Dried sage will keep for up to a year when stored in a sealed container in a dark pantry.

A close up of dried, dehydrated Salvia officinalis spilling out of a glass jar.A close up of dried, dehydrated Salvia officinalis spilling out of a glass jar.

It’s convenient to have a ready supply on hand for an array of savory dishes.

You can learn more about storing herbs using drying and freezing techniques per the instructions on our sister site, Foodal.

Cooking Ideas

Do you love potatoes, but need to change things up a bit? If so, you’ll want to try these delicious sage hasselback potatoes.

A close up, top down picture of hasselback potatoes baked in the oven, in a metal pan set on a wooden surface.A close up, top down picture of hasselback potatoes baked in the oven, in a metal pan set on a wooden surface.
Photo by Mike Quinn.

Slits are cut into the top, which allows the lovely taste of real butter, salt, and sage to work their magic in the interiors, making for crisp and soft spuds full of rich flavors.

You can find the recipe on our sister site, Foodal.

Are you tired of dried out, chewy turkey?

A close up, top down picture of a spatchcock chicken on a grill placed over a metal tray set on a wooden surface.A close up, top down picture of a spatchcock chicken on a grill placed over a metal tray set on a wooden surface.
Photo by Mike Quinn.

If so, take a look at this recipe that incorporates various techniques such as butterflying, dry brining, and dry rubbing to lock in flavors and juices. Check it out now, on Foodal.

Sesame sage roasted vegetables with barley is the perfect vegan main dish for fall, or a delicious holiday side dish.

A close up top down picture of a fresh roasted vegetables with rice, topped with herbs.A close up top down picture of a fresh roasted vegetables with rice, topped with herbs.
Photo by Raquel Smith.

With fennel, carrots, Brussels sprouts, cherry tomatoes, and pomegranate, these grain bowls are irresistible.

And don’t forget the flavorful sesame-sage dressing! You can find the recipe also on Foodal.

To find even more delicious recipes with sage, check out all that is available on our sister site, Foodal.

Sage Rocks

You may be familiar with the renowned parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme foursome, popularized by Simon & Garfunkel’s hit version of the classic English Folk song, “Are You Going to Scarborough Fair.

A close up of Mediterranean herbs rosemary, Salvia officinalis, and thyme, pictured in light sunshine.A close up of Mediterranean herbs rosemary, Salvia officinalis, and thyme, pictured in light sunshine.
Common sage, Salvia officinalis, and rosemary, Salvia rosmarinus.

This is a reference to the widely acclaimed herbs’ extensive folk history. Native Americans have long used sage in traditional rituals that celebrate, heal, and purify.

Common sage is a classic when it comes to herb gardening, and where it can’t survive a cold winter, it is often cultivated in containers that are brought inside until the growing season resumes.

In warmer climes, it may grow so big and bushy that its stems become woody. If so, replace your plants every few years for a steady supply of not only leaves and blossoms, but palatable stems as well.

And finally, if you’re in a temperate zone and are looking for a lawn alternative, consider sowing herbs as groundcover, where every footfall fills the air with fragrance.

Close up of the purple flowers of common sage with a bee landing on the flowers collecting pollen.Close up of the purple flowers of common sage with a bee landing on the flowers collecting pollen.

Are you growing sage in your garden? Let us know in the comments below!

If you’re interested in growing more mint-family classics in your herb garden, you’ll need these guides next:





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