Whether you garden in the ground, in raised beds, on the windowsill, or anywhere else, sage is a great addition or re-addition to your plant family. Read on for simple, straightforward specifics about growing sage.
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Family | Container Size | Good Companions | Bad Companions | Soil Conditions | Germination | Sun | Water | Temperature Range | Height | Lifespan | Reproduction | Yield Per Plant | Ingestibility | Further Reading
What Family Does Sage Belong To?
Sage (Salvia officinalis) belongs to the Lamiaceae family, also known as the mint family.
Some of its relatives include peppermint, rosemary, and lemon balm.
What Size Container Should I Use for Growing Sage?
The minimum container size recommended for sage is 8 inches deep by 10 inches wide.
Learn more in our Choosing the Right Planter for Your Container Garden article here.
What Are Good Companion Plants for Sage?
Some of sage's best companions are as follows:
- Catmint
- Catnip
- Rosemary
- Calendula
- Echinacea
- Lemon balm
- Motherwort
- Cauliflower
- Tomato
- Aloe vera
- Strawberry
- Rose
- Bok choy
- Oregano
- Carrot
- Parsnip
- Peas
- Cilantro
- Kale
- Thyme
- Gaillardia
- Toothache plant
- Mullein
What Are Bad Companion Plants for Sage?
Sage is not compatible with every plant. Some things to avoid planting with sage are as follows:
- Watercress
- Marshmallow
- Onion
- Cucumber
- Basil
What Soil Conditions Does Sage Need?
Sage prefers well-draining, sandy to loamy soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
How Long Does Sage Take to Germinate?
Sage takes 1-3 weeks to germinate at a temperature of 60-75°F.
How Much Sun Does Sage Need?
Sage can grow in full sun to part shade.
In other words, it grows fastest in full sun. It will still grow in dappled shade or part shade, just at a slower rate.
Sage grown in the shade will also produce less concentrated oils, leading to a less potent flavor and fewer herbal constituents.
If growing sage in part shade, aim for morning sun. See our article on part shade here for more information about what this means.
Sun recommendations can vary by region, and sage grown in hot areas or in warmer conditions than the ideal temperature range noted below may need more shade.
How Much Water Does Sage Need?
Sage needs 1 inch of water every 7-10 days.
What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Growing Sage?
Sage grows fastest in temperatures of 50-95°F.
This is its ideal temperature range. Although it will grow in temperatures both cooler and warmer than this range, the growth could be slower or even stunted.
Minimum and maximum temperatures will vary by variety. Some sage varieties are bred for later harvests and others for warmer climates.
How Tall Does Sage Get?
The average height of sage is 1-3 feet.
Is Sage Annual, Biennial, or Perennial?
Sage is a perennial herb, meaning that it lives for longer than a couple years.
More specifically, it can live for up to 20 years.
How Does Sage Reproduce?
Sage reproduces by seed.
How Much Sage is Produced Per Plant?
For sage, how much is produced per plant (also called the yield) largely depends on the type of sage, the variety, and the size of the plant.
Most sage plants produce 5-10 leaves per bunch. Again, the number of bunches depends on the size and variety.
Can Sage Be Ingested?
Sage leaves are edible.
Sage leaves have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties and can be used in herbal preparations. The most common preparations are tea and tinctures. An herb:solvent weight ratio of 1:5 at 40% alcohol is suggested for a sage leaf tincture.
There are no known safety concerns associated with ingesting sage leaves in normal herbal or culinary amounts.
Further Reading
This article is intended as a quick-reference guide for gardeners. Consult your seed packet or seed catalog for variety-specific information.
When you have a bumper crop of sage rolling in, you may not have enough time for long, complicated recipes or many-step preservation procedures. Check out my article on quick, simple uses for sage here!
Sage is featured in these Plant to Plate articles: