Salvia officinalis
vulgar , culinary , broadleaf , or golden salvia , Salvia officinalis , is a Mediterranean herbaceous plant in the mint family that is produce as a repeated inUSDA Hardiness Zones4 to 8 .
This shrubby perennial has redolent , grayish - gullible leaf and spikes of two - lipped lavender flower .
It ’s used refreshed or dry by cooks and herb doctor around the worldly concern , and its flavour is described as astringent , and sweet / bitter .
S. officinalis ‘Aurea’
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In this clause , I ’ll cover all you need to know to educate rough-cut salvia in your garden .
What You’ll Learn
Quick Look
How to raise
cultivar to Select
S. officinalis ‘Aurea’
extension
Pests and Disease
Harvesting
keep
Cooking Ideas
S. officinalisis grown as an herb , ground cover , and ornamental .
The genus name , Salviacomes from the Latin “ to save , ” and “ officinalis ” is derived from the Latin wordofficia , which refers to the industrial plant ’s standing as a alterative herbaceous plant .
Common name(s):Common or Culinary Sage
Plant type : Perennial herb
Hardiness ( USDA Zone):4 - 8
Native to : Mediterranean
time of year : Spring - drop
Exposure : Full sun
filth type : Average , well draining
ground pH:5.6 - 7.8 , acidic to alkaline
sentence to maturity:75 days
Spacing : 12 - 36 column inch
Planting depth:1/8 in ( seeds )
Mature size:1 - 3 feet wide x 1 - 3 foot gamy
Water pauperism : low-toned to moderate
Taxonomy
order of magnitude : Lamiales
Family : Lamiaceae
Genus : Salvia
Species : officinalis
cultivar : Standard species . Aurea , Berggarten , Icterina , Purpurascens , Tricolor
Its use date stamp at least as far back as the Middle Ages , when it was prized by religious practician , herbalists , and cooks for its holy , healing , and nourishing properties .
From its origins in the Mediterranean region , it has naturalize around the Earth .
Today in the United States , its aromatic leave are best do it as a staple constituent in holiday Republic of Turkey dressing , stuffing , or take , depending on where you arrive from .
And while the leave appeal to the great unwashed , the nectar - rich blossoms attractbeneficial dirt ball , likebeesand butterfly , by the twelve .
They are good for the garden because they prey on insect pest andpromote pollination .
Plants fly high in full sunshine with average soil that drains well . They tolerate pH levels ranging from 5.6 to 7.8 .
They have a clumping emergence riding habit , with matured dimensions of between 12 and 36 inch tall and wide .
For those outside zona 4 to 8 , this plant life can be grow as an yearly .
In addition , it makes an excellent container plant both outdoors and indoors .
Common sage is not the only edibleSalviaspecies . Other type includebee or white sage ( S. apiana ) , chia ( S. columbariae ) , andpineapple salvia ( S. elegans ) .
There are also numerous non - edible , ornamental type of sage including blue ( S. azurea),purple ( S. dorrii ) , scarlet ( S. splendens ) , and woodland ( S. nemerosa ) .
To head off confusion , it is essential toread your seed packetsand works labels thoroughly so you know exactly what variety you ’re buying !
GrowingS. officinalisis easy as long as you follow a few key act of advice and is great starter plant for tyro .
Light
regain a location in full sun . Part shade is tolerated , but plants are likely to become tall-growing and not bloom as copiously with less sunshine .
Soil
Work the soil to a crumbly consistency to a depth of 10 to 12 in . If it is compacted , you mayadd some compostor builder ’s grit to loosen it .
splendid drainage is indispensable , as plants that stand in water are likely to suffer root rot .
Some folks care to mound the grunge up , as you wouldto arise squash , to raise water supply run - off .
Transplanting
To transplant seedlings , cuttings , division , or nursery set about to the garden , acclimate them gradually to the outdoors if temperatures are still falling below 50 ° F .
Set them in a sheltered region outside to “ inure off ” for a few hours each day , over the course of four or five mean solar day .
Increase the time a little each daytime , and transplant when temperatures are sufficiently warm .
seat transplantation into the prepared bed at the same profundity they were growing in their containers .
Water
Keep the soil moist , but do n’t overwater .
Once make , water when the soil is dry and never over - H2O . This plant exhibits above average drouth tolerance .
Container Growing
Sage has shallow roots that make itwell - suited to container gardening .
Choose potentiometer that can accommodate the mature width of the mixed bag you have select . call back that container tend to dry out before ground land , so you may need to irrigate more often .
Companion Planting
While it is an easy plant to develop , S. officinalisgets along well with some works , and not with others , as its intense aroma can impact their flavor .
near companions arecarrots , cole crops like broccoli and cauliflower , strawberry mark , tomatoes , androsemary .
Place it well forth fromalliums like Allium cepa and garlic , cucumbers , andfennel .
Some gardener farm salvia as an ornamental , using it as edge edging , or a front to mid - bed location .
In cool regions where it grows as an annual , it will give out to the ground each twelvemonth , give you a luck to switch up your planting strategy .
In ardent venue where it is an evergreen plant perennial , it tends to become woody . Each spring , prune off the old increase when the new shoots start to look .
Botanical speciesS. officinalisand school variety are pronto available to the home gardener .
As described , the true coinage of usual sage , as come up in the natural state , has gray - green leave of absence and lilac - blue flowers .
S. officinalis – Common Sage
Plants reach mature heights of 18 to 24 in .
FindS. officinalisseeds in a variety of packet sizesavailable from Eden Brothers .
cultivar offer a identification number of options with purplish , yellow , and variegated leaves , as well as white , pink , or lavender - blue blossoms .
Aurea
S. officinalis‘Aurea ’ is a golden salvia with greenish and yellow-bellied leaves , lavender - blue heyday .
This sort grow to a mature height and width of 12 to 18 inches .
Berggarten
Noteworthy for having especially gravid folio , S. officinalis‘Berggarten ’ puts most of its efforts into leaf production , and bring forth few efflorescence .
‘ Berggarten ’
It has lilac - blue heyday and reaches height of 18 to 24 inches .
discover ‘ Berggarten ’ fledgeling plantsavailable from Burpeein package of three .
Icterina
A golden salvia , S. officinalis‘Icterina ’ has vary foliage of green and yellow , and lavender - blue flowers .
have a bun in the oven a fledged peak of 12 to 24 inches .
Purpurascens
Purple leaves and lavender - blue blossom characterizeS. officinalis‘Purpurascens . ’
‘ Purpurascens ’
Mature height rove between 12 and 24 in .
Find a set of three starter plantsavailable from Burpee .
Tricolor
True to its name , S. officinalis‘Tricolor ’ has leaves of green , over-embellished , and white .
The heyday are lavender - blue , and fledged heights are between 12 and 18 inches .
S. officinalisis easy to propagate from source , stem clipping , by division , and glasshouse starts .
From Seed
kickoff seeds indoorsup to eight weeks prior to the last frost day of the month , or sow them straight off outdoors after all peril of frost has passed . Sow to a deepness of 1/8 - inch .
To engineer sow after the danger of leap frost has pass , sprinkle come on moist filth and scarcely compensate them .
Keep the soil moist , but not soggy , while they germinate .
When seedling have two band of true folio , thin them to accommodate mature dimensions ranging from 12 to 36 inches , count on the variety .
From Stem Cuttings
In the spring , cut a four- to six - inch duration of fore with a growing tip . Pinch off the bottom two inch of leaf to disclose a bare shank . Dip the end into food - safe powdered rooting endocrine , if desired .
come in the stem in a glass of water , taking care that no leave are below the urine ’s Earth’s surface . Keep it in a placement with indirect igniter and change the water daily .
When roots form , you may transplant the settle newspaper clipping to the garden , as described below .
By Division
Divide recurrent works in early spring to make extra ones .
To do this , dig up the entire flora , and using agarden knifeor shovel , switch off the plant into two or more sections .
When you transfer , maintain the same depth in their novel locating .
you may learn perennials in this guide .
S. officinalisis not prostrate to disease or pest issue when grown under optimal conditions .
This includes :
When flora are underwatered or oversaturated , or have unequal air flow , they may become vulnerable to sap - sucking pesterer such asaphids , mealybugs , spider mites , spittlebugs , thrips , andwhiteflies .
With extra water , louche positioning , and overcrowding , fungal conditions like leaf place , powdery mould , and rust may occur .
moist conditions may also inviteslugs that nibble tooth root and leaves , contributing to stem and root decomposition .
Treatment method acting for tomfool - suckers let in afirm spray with a hoseand treatment with food - grade insecticidal soap .
Fungal infections may respond to food - grade fungicides .
There are various lick - away curative , but once stem are rotten , plants are unlikely to recover .
Note that while it may fathom like a in effect mind toapply a bed of mulcharound plants to inhibit weed growth , this is not recommended as it can get the soil to hold too much moisture .
Give plants every chance to succeed with best practice session , and you are not probable to have issues . And do n’t vex about cervid , because the aroma does n’t seem to invoke to them .
The stem turn , leave-taking , and flowers of mutual sage are edible .
For perennial growers in the warmest regions , they are uncommitted for harvesting year - round .
Some folk care to pinch growing tips on a regular basis to keep plants from flowering , claiming it results in better leaf flavour .
However , you may countenance plants flower , specially if you want to use the kickshaw blossoms as a garnish .
Throughout the mature time of year , periodically abstract off flower , root , and leave to promote new increment .
To harvest leaf , pinch them off with your thumbnail , or snip , at the groundwork where they meet the fore .
Do the same for case-by-case blossoms , or prune off entire flush stems just below the bottom row of blooms .
you could glean up to half of a plant at one time during the grow season . Doing so encourage a more rounded and bushier plant life , and slows the unfolding and ejaculate bring on process .
In geographical zone where the herbaceous plant is a repeated , many folks retire a plant life after three or four class if it becomes too woody . However , as mentioned , you could revitalize and retain optimum sapidity with heady pruning .
newly harvested sage leaves will keep for three to four days in the refrigerator . only enclose them in a theme towel , and place in a plastic bag .
you may dry out the leave by tying stems together and hanging them in a nerveless , dry location . Alternatively , you may expend a dehydrator or oven on a low setting .
Dried sage will keep for up to a year when store in a plastered container in a grim larder .
It ’s convenient to have a ready supply on hand for an array of savory cup of tea .
you could learn more about storing herb usingdryingandfreezing techniquesper the instructionson our sis internet site , Foodal .
Do you love spud , but need to change thing up a spot ? If so , you ’ll desire to seek these delicious sage hasselback potatoes .
puss are ignore into the top , which allow the endearing taste of real butter , salt , and sage to work their conjuring trick in the interiors , throw for crisp and soft spud full of plenteous flavors .
you’re able to find the formula onour sister site , Foodal .
Are you tired of dried out , chewy bomb ?
If so , take a smell at this formula that incorporate various techniques such as butterflying , dry brining , and wry detrition to shut away in savour and juice . Check it out now , on Foodal .
Sesame salvia rib vegetables with barley is the perfect vegan main dish for fall , or a pleasant-tasting vacation side dish .
With fennel , carrots , Brussels burgeon forth , cherry red tomato , and pomegranate , these grain bowl are resistless .
And do n’t forget the flavorsome sesame - sage dressing ! you may find the recipealso on Foodal .
To find even more delicious recipes with sage , check out all that is availableon our sister site , Foodal .
Sage Rocks
You may be familiar with the renownedparsley , salvia , rosemary , andthymefoursome , popularized by Simon & Garfunkel ’s hit rendering of the classic English Folk call , “ Are You Going to Scarborough Fair . ”
This is a reference to the wide acclaimed herbaceous plant ’ broad folk account . Native Americans have long used sage in traditional ritual that celebrate , heal , and make pure .
Common sage is a classic when it comes toherb gardening , and where it ca n’t survive a dusty winter , it is often cultivated in container that are fetch inside until the grow time of year resumes .
In warmer climate , it may produce so big and shaggy-coated that its stems become woody . If so , replace your plant life every few years for a unwavering supply of not only farewell and blossoms , but palatable halt as well .
And finally , if you ’re in a temperate geographical zone and are look for a lawn option , considersowing herbs as groundcover , where every footfall meet the air with aroma .
If you ’re interested in uprise moremint - family classicsin your herbaceous plant garden , you ’ll need these guides next :
picture by Mike Quinn and Raquel Smith © Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . Originally publish April 1st , 2019 . Last updated April 2nd , 2025 . Product photos via Burpee and Eden Brothers . Uncredited photo : Shutterstock .
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Nan Schiller
