Sage is an aromatic, evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean region. It has woody stems, grayish-green leaves, and small blue, purple, or white flowers. Sage is widely used in cooking and in herbal medicine. It is known for its strong, savory flavor and its ability to reduce inflammation and improve digestion. Sage is also used to help reduce stress and improve mental clarity.
Planning Your Garden With Sage
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Sage is a perennial plant. |
| USDA Zone | Sage (Salvia officinalis) is hardy in USDA zones 5-9. |
| Cold Tolerance | Sage is hardy in USDA zones 5-9, meaning it can tolerate temperatures down to 25. |
| Days to harvest | The minimum number of days to harvest sage is 60-90 days. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown sage plant is between 1 and 3 feet tall and wide. |
| Spacing requirements | Sage plants should be spaced about 18 to 24 inches apart. |
| Sun tolerance | Sage is tolerant of full sun to partial shade. |
| Shade tolerance | Sage is a sun-loving plant that prefers full sun and can tolerate some light shade. It is not tolerant of deep shade. |
| Water requirements | Sage prefers well-drained soil that is kept evenly moist. Water your sage plants when the top inch of soil feels dry. Soak the soil thoroughly, and then allow the soil to dry out slightly before watering again. Avoid over-watering, as this can lead to root rot. |
| Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer you should use when growing sage depends on the type of fertilizer you are using and the soil conditions. Generally, a balanced fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 should be applied at a rate of 1/2 to 1 pound per 100 square feet of garden area. |
| Soil pH | Sage prefers a slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. |
Why Sage is Popular
People like to grow sage because it is a fragrant and attractive herb that can be used for both culinary and medicinal purposes. Sage is known for its strong flavor and aroma, and its leaves can be used fresh or dried in a variety of dishes. It is also believed to have medicinal properties and is used to treat a range of ailments, including indigestion, colds, and sore throats.
Companion Plants For Sage
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for sage include:
Common Pests For Sage
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow sage, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- slugs
- aphids
- whiteflies
- spider mites
- mealybugs
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
