Herb · Woody / Perennial Herb
Sage
Salvia officinalis
A hardy, woody Mediterranean perennial grown for its soft, silvery-green, intensely savoury leaves. Prefers to be left on the dry side and resents wet feet.
At a glance
Water
Low
10–20 fl oz/wk
Light
Full sun
6–8 hrs/day
Space
Small
20 in
To maturity
75–80 days
Edible parts: Leaves
Family: Mint
Includes basil, rosemary, sage, and mint. Recognizable by square stems and fragrant, oil-rich leaves.
Harvest
Snip leaves or sprigs as needed once the plant is established; avoid heavy harvesting in the first year while it establishes.
Growing conditions
- Temperature
- 30–90 °F
- Soil pH
- 6–7
- Soil type
- Sandy loam, very well-draining; waterlogged soil quickly causes root rot
- Climate
- Cold-hardy Mediterranean perennial, evergreen in milder climates.
- Growing season
- Plant in spring after the last frost; established plants persist for years.
- Nitrogen
- Low (≈10–25 ppm)
- Humidity
- Low (≈30–50 %)
- Planting unit
- Cutting
- Feeding schedule
- Rarely needs feeding once established; light feeding in spring is enough for container plants.
- Pest resistance
- High - largely trouble-free once established
- Pruning
- Prune back by about a third each spring to keep growth compact and prevent legginess; avoid cutting into old woody growth.
Where it grows
- Container / PotIdeal— Excellent drainage matters more than pot size; avoid overwatering.
- In-Ground GardenIdeal— Perennial in most climates once established.
- Raised BedIdeal
- WindowsillPossible— Needs bright light and good airflow; prone to root rot if overwatered indoors.
- HydroponicNot recommended— Woody growth habit and preference for dry conditions don't suit standard hydroponic systems.
- Vertical / TrellisNot recommended— No climbing or vining habit.
Companions & antagonists
Sources
- Growing Sage Plants | Sage Plant Care & General Tips — Bonnie Plants
- Companion Vegetable Garden Plants — Ask Extension