Growing sage in your garden provides an abundant supply of this delicious kitchen staple.
Sage has long been an herb garden staple.
Sage plants are multipurpose powerhouses with attractive foliage and prettysummer blooms.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Sages light blue flowers and gray-green foliage combine well with other plants in a flower border or container.
Where to Plant Sage
Grow sagein containersor soil thats well-draining in a location with plenty of sunlight.
As a Mediterranean plant, it mixes well withrosemary,lavender, andbasil.
Credit: Andy Lyons
It thrives in containers indoors and out.
How and When to Plant Sage
Plant sage after thelast winter frost.
It grows best in mild weather during spring and early fall.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Sage Care Tips
Sage is an easy perennial herb to grow.
Its best to pick sage throughout the growing season, removing individual leaves rather than plucking stems.
Light
Sage needs at least six hours of sunlight daily for the best flavor.
Credit: Andreas Trauttmansdorff
Anything less causes plants to sprawl and flavor to be lost.
Afternoon shade is beneficial in locations where the weather gets hot, such as inZone 8or warmer.
Once established, sage istolerant of droughts.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Temperature and Humidity
Sage thrives in moderate temperatures, between 60oF and 70oF.
In humid areas, airflow around sage plants reduces the possibility offungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Avoid fertilizer, which can affect the flavor of these edible plants.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
The best way to feed sageis with compost.
Use a potting mix with well-draining, sandy soil.
Youll need to repot sage if you see roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Pests and Problems
Use an insecticidal soap to remove bugs on your sage plants.
Allow plenty of airflow around these edible plants toprevent powdery mildewand other fungi.
Otherwise, sage is relatively disease-free.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
How to Propagate Sage
Propagate sage from stem cuttingsor seeds.
Cuttings should be taken from new growth.
Strip the foliage from the bottom of the cutting and dip it inrooting hormone.
Credit: Illustration by Gary Palmer
Use a soilless potting medium to plant the cutting, and set it inbright but indirect light.
Dont overwater, but keep the soil moist.
Once rooted, replant.
Credit: Illustration by Gary Palmer
Growing sage from seeds takes about six to eight weeks for germination.
Plant seeds in moist, seed-starting mix about 1/8-inch deep.
Keep the soil moist but not wet.
After germination, grow under bright, indirect light until plants are large enough to transplant.
Take them outside toharden off before plantingthem in the garden.
Cut the stems the following morning after the dew has dried.
Harvest the top 6 to 8 inches of growth on the plants.
Another drying method is to spread individual stems horizontally on a screen.
When the leaves are fully dry, crumble them and store them in an airtight container.
The flavor will usually keep for three to four months.
Note that drying intensifies the flavor; use dried sage sparingly.
It grows 2 feet tall and wide.
It grows 2 feet tall and wide.
Zones 7-8
Tricolor Sage
Salvia officinalisTricolor has foliage splashed with green, cream, and purple.
In the sunniest locations, the cream deepens to pink.
Zones 6-11
Purple Sage
Salvia officinalisPurpurea offers aromatic, purple-toned leaves.
Plants reach 18 inches tall and are hardy in Zones 6-9.
Plant it in a sunny garden bed or container close to the house for quick and easy harvest.
Nasturtium
Vividly colored blossoms pop against the gray-green foliage ofnasturtiumfor an impressive effect in a garden.
Ten kinds of herbs surround a decorative sundial in a 6-foot-diameter bed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Harvest sage when you need it.
Cut it where two leaves meet.
Harvest sage leaves in the morning for the best flavor.
Sage accents fruit-based vinegars, creating mixtures with delicate aromas and flavors.
However, be careful to use dried sage sparingly in cooking; too much can yield a musty taste.
Sage attracts bees, butterflies, andhummingbirds.
However, its strong scent repels many pests, such as beetles, moths, and snails.
If youre growing sage alone in a container, it should be at least 810 inches in diameter.
Sage might be dying if it has yellow, wilted, or powdery-spotted leaves.
Another good indication is when the stems appear limp, and a musty odor emanates from the plant.
