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EmailBotanical name: Salvia officinalis
Plant type: Herb
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Sun exposure: Full Sun
Sage is a hardy perennial with soft, grayish green leaves. Its flower colors vary; they can be purple, pink, blue, or white. Common sage is used most commonly for cooking; it's a classic in stuffing.
Planting
- Sage can grow from seeds, but the best way to grow high-quality sage is from cuttings from an established plant.
- You can start the seeds/cuttings indoors 6 to 10 weeks before the last spring frost.
- Plant the seeds/cuttings in well-drained soil 1 to 2 weeks before the last spring frost.
- Plant the seeds/cuttings 24 to 30 inches apart. For best growth, the soil should be between 60º and 70ºF. Plants should grow to be between 12 and 30 inches in height.
- In the garden, plant near rosemary, cabbage, and carrots, but keep sage away from cucumbers.
Care
- Be sure to water the young plants regularly until they are fully grown so that they don't dry out.
- Prune the heavier, woody stems every spring.
- It's best to replace the plants every 4 to 5 years to ensure the best quality.
Pests
- Rust
- Powdery mildew
- Stem rot
- Fungal leaf spots
- Whiteflies
- Aphids
- Spider mites
Harvest/Storage
- During the first year, harvest lightly to ensure that the plant grows fully.
- After the first year. be sure to leave a few stalks so that the plant can rejuvenate. If fully established, one plant can be harvested up to three times in one season.
- Sage's flavor is best when fresh, but it can be stored frozen or dried. To dry, leave the branches in the sun; once dried, remove the leaves and store them in an airtight container.
Recommended Varieties
- Tricolor sage, for a bit of color in the garden (yellow, mauve, and sage green)
Recipes
- Bagged Roast Turkey With Cornbread, Chestnut, and Sage Stuffing
- Ravioli in a Sage and Brown-Butter Sauce
- Cheese Crackers with Sage
Wit & Wisdom
Anyone who has sage planted in their garden is reputed to do well in business.
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Comments
By myuncertanty
- reply
What is the best way to start a new plant from a cutting of an established sage plant?
By Almanac Staff
- reply
Make a soil mix from equal parts sand and compost (or peat moss). Fill a few small pots with the mix. Take cuttings from your sage plant and remove the bottom leaves. For better chance of success, dip the bottom of the stems in a root-inducing hormone powder before putting the cuttings into the pots. Water and cover each pot with a plastic bag. When the cuttings have established roots remove the bags.
By Anonymous
- reply
I have harvested my herbs, and they dry very fast, other times I have harvested my herbs and they take days to dry. I have failed to take note of those days harvested, so I am at a loss when they dried faster. What phase of the moon is better?
Thanks
By Almanac Staff
- reply
It will depend on the type of herb, how much moisture the herbs contain, and how much one is drying at once. Drying time is also affected by the environment (humidity, temperature, air circulation, etc.), the method used for drying, etc. A warm temperature, low humidity, and good ventilation will dry herbs more rapidly. If it is a muggy few days, the herbs will take longer to air dry. (Keep them out of direct sunlight.)
If using a dehydrator, oven, or microwave, times may still vary with moisture content of individual herbs.
If rinsing the herbs before drying, be sure to pat dry fairly well. If drying on the tray, be sure to stir the leaves every so often for even drying.
Best time to harvest herbs for drying is just before they flower. Cut them in the morning, after any dew has dried.
There are several interpretations as to when it is best to harvest herbs according to lunar gardening. One suggestion is to harvest them when the Moon is both in the Fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) and full or waning.
By Anonymous
- reply
I am so excited to learn I can grow more from a cutting!
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