🌿 Sage: Growing Guide
Sage (Salvia officinalis) grows best in full sun with little water, and does well at −5 to 32 °C (23–90 °F) in soil with a pH of 5.5–7.0. Space plants about 50 cm (20 in) apart. Expect 90+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Salvia officinalis |
|---|---|
| Category | Herbs |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Low |
| Plant spacing | 50 cm (20 in) |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.0 |
| Comfortable temperature | −5 to 32 °C (23–90 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 90+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season) |
| Sowing depth | 0.5 cm (0.2 in) |
| Height | 40–80 cm (16–31 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | |||||
| Continental | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||
| Oceanic | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||
| Subtropical | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | |||
| Tropical | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||
| Cold / Northern | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Arid / Semi-arid | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Mar–Apr, Sep · Harvest: May–Aug.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: Apr–May · Harvest: Jun–Aug.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: Mar–Apr · Harvest: May–Jul.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Plant out: Jan, Aug–Sep · Harvest: Feb–Apr, Oct–Dec.
- Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Plant out: Jan, Jul–Aug · Harvest: Feb–Apr, Sep–Oct.
- Cold / Northern (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, Alpine): Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Aug.
- Arid / Semi-arid (Arabian Peninsula, inland Australia): Plant out: Feb, Aug · Harvest: Mar–Apr, Sep–Nov.
Watering
Water about every 7 days in summer and about every 21 days in winter. Mediterranean, tolerates drought.
Growing tips
Perennial. Aromatic leaves for cooking and teas. Varieties: Purple and Tricolor.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Frequently asked questions
Sage: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Mar–Apr, Sep · Harvest: May–Aug. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: Apr–May · Harvest: Jun–Aug. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: Mar–Apr · Harvest: May–Jul.
Sage: how often should I water it?
Water about every 7 days in summer and about every 21 days in winter. Mediterranean, tolerates drought.
Sage: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 50 cm (20 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 0.5 cm (0.2 in).
Sage: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 90+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Sage: which plants grow well with it?
Rosemary, Cabbage, Carrot.
Plan your garden
Add Sage to your garden design in the free GardenXPro planner: drag plants onto a 2D plan, preview it in 3D, check companions and get watering reminders.
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