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Sage

Salvia officinalis

HerbsPerennialFrost Hardy

Woody perennial with velvety, silver-green leaves. Prune annually to prevent the plant from becoming leggy and unproductive.

Overview

SunFull Sun
WaterLowCalculate watering amount
Height30–60 cm
Spread75 cm
Spacing50 cm
Row Spacing60 cm
Germination10–21 days
To Harvest75–100 days

Companion Planting

Bad Companions

BasilCucumber

Toxicity

SeverityNon-toxic

Listed as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and humans by the ASPCA. Safe in normal culinary amounts; however, concentrated sage essential oil can be harmful to cats due to their inability to metabolize certain compounds.

Planting Tips

LocationFull sun (at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight); tolerates light afternoon shade in hot climates.
SoilWell-drained sandy or loamy soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0; avoid heavy clay soils that retain moisture.
Sowing Depth0.3 cm
Planting Depth5 cm
WateringWater sparingly, allowing soil to dry out between waterings; deep soak every few days is better than frequent shallow watering.

1 cm of water per m² equals 10 liters. Use the Watering Calculator for exact amounts.

FertilizingMinimal feeding; apply a balanced fertilizer once in early spring before active growth begins, as overly rich soil causes leggy growth and reduced flavor.

Care Tip: Prune woody stems in spring to encourage bushy new growth; replace plants every 3-4 years as they become too woody and less productive.

Common Pests

Spider Mites

Symptoms: Fine stippling or bronze discoloration on leaves; tiny webs on leaf undersides.

Treatment: Blast plant with a strong water spray every 2-3 days; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil for persistent infestations.

Prevention: Mist foliage regularly to raise humidity, as spider mites thrive in hot, dry conditions.

Aphids

Symptoms: Stunted growth, curled or distorted leaves, and sticky honeydew residue on foliage.

Treatment: Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce natural predators such as ladybugs or lacewings.

Prevention: Avoid excess nitrogen fertilizer, which promotes soft new growth that attracts aphids.

Whiteflies

Symptoms: Yellow spots on leaves, wilting foliage, sticky honeydew that can develop into black sooty mold.

Treatment: Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5 days for three applications; use yellow sticky traps to reduce populations.

Prevention: Inspect new plants before introducing them to the garden; encourage natural predators like parasitic wasps.

Common Diseases

Powdery Mildew

Symptoms: White, powdery coating on leaves, stems, and flowers; common during warm days followed by cool nights.

Treatment: Remove affected leaves immediately; spray with a baking soda or potassium bicarbonate solution, coating the entire plant.

Prevention: Ensure good air circulation by spacing plants adequately; avoid overhead watering.

Root Rot

Symptoms: Wilting despite moist soil, yellowing leaves, mushy or darkened roots, and overall plant decline.

Treatment: Remove and destroy infected plants; improve soil drainage by amending with perlite or coarse sand.

Prevention: Plant in well-drained soil; avoid overwatering and never let sage sit in waterlogged conditions.

Rust

Symptoms: Small bright orange, yellow, or brown pustules on leaf undersides; leaves may yellow, wilt, and drop prematurely.

Treatment: Remove and destroy infected foliage; apply a copper-based fungicide if the infection spreads.

Prevention: Water at the base of the plant to keep foliage dry; remove plant debris around sage to reduce fungal spore sources.