Sage (Salvia)
Salvia
A diverse genus of aromatic flowering plants in the mint family, including culinary sage and ornamental salvias; typically herbaceous perennials or subshrubs valued for flowers and pollinator attraction.
Caution: Toxic to Pets
Toxicity: mildly toxic
Culinary sage is generally safe in small amounts but essential oils can cause vomiting or neurological signs in pets if large quantities are ingested.
🌱Care Requirements
Light
Sage needs full sun: provide at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Outdoors plant in a sunny bed; indoors place on a south- or west-facing windowsill. Avoid deep shade which causes legginess and weak flowering.
Water
Water deeply but infrequently. Allow the top 2–3 cm (¾–1 in) of soil to dry before watering again. Use a free-draining mix and pots with drainage; reduce frequency in cool months to avoid root rot.
Humidity
Prefers low to moderate humidity. Average home humidity is fine; avoid misting leaves. Ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal problems like powdery mildew.
Temperature
Best between 10–30°C (50–86°F). Tolerates brief lows to −10°C (14°F) when established; protect from prolonged freezing and extreme heat above 40°C (104°F).
🔧Common Problems & Solutions
Yellowing, wilting leaves
Cause: Overwatering or poor drainage leading to root rot
Solution: Cut back watering, improve drainage, repot into a free‑draining mix and trim any rotten roots. Allow soil to dry between waterings.
Leggy, spindly growth
Cause: Insufficient light or lack of pruning
Solution: Move to a brighter, sunnier spot, pinch back stems regularly and prune after flowering to encourage bushier growth.
Powdery mildew on leaves
Cause: High humidity, poor air circulation, or overcrowding
Solution: Increase airflow, space plants further apart, remove affected leaves and avoid overhead watering. Use a fungicide if severe.
Aphids, spider mites or whiteflies
Cause: Warm, dry conditions and stressed plants attract pests
Solution: Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil, blast with water to remove pests, and maintain plant vigor with proper light and watering.
✂️How to Propagate Sage (Salvia)
For stem cuttings: take 7–10 cm semi-ripe cuttings in spring/summer, strip lower leaves, optionally dip in rooting hormone, and insert into a free-draining mix. Keep in bright, indirect light and moist (not waterlogged) until roots form (2–4 weeks). For division: lift mature clumps in spring, separate with roots attached and replant. Seeds can be sown indoors and transplanted after last frost.
🌍Origin & Background
Family: Lamiaceae
Native to: Native to the Mediterranean region: southern Europe and western Asia.
Natural Habitat: Grows on sunny, rocky slopes, dry open woodlands and scrub with poor, well-drained soils. Thrives in hot, dry summers with good airflow and low humidity.
🗓Seasonal Care Guide
Winter
Reduce watering and move pots to a cool, bright spot if indoors. Mulch outdoor plants and protect from prolonged hard freezes. Avoid fertilizing until spring.
Spring
Prune to shape and remove dead wood, divide overcrowded plants, repot if needed and resume regular feeding to support new growth and flowering.
Summer
Provide full sun, water deeply but allow soil to dry between waterings. Mulch to conserve moisture but keep mulch away from stems to reduce rot.
Fall
Harvest leaves, cut back flowered stems, and taper watering and feeding to prepare plants for winter dormancy or reduced growth.
❓Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I water sage?
Water every 7–14 days, allowing the top 2–3 cm of soil to dry between waterings; reduce frequency in cooler months.
Can I grow sage indoors?
Yes. Place sage on a bright south- or west-facing windowsill with good airflow and use a well-draining potting mix.
How do I prune sage?
Prune in spring after frost risk passes; trim up to a third to encourage bushiness and remove old woody stems.
Is sage poisonous to pets?
Sage is mildly toxic to pets if eaten in large amounts; small culinary tastings usually cause only minor gastrointestinal upset.
What is the best way to propagate sage?
Stem cuttings root quickly (2–4 weeks). Division in spring is reliable; seeds work but take longer to establish.
Turn These Tips into Daily Plant Chats
Get watering reminders, humidity alerts, and adorable updates straight from your Sage (Salvia). TextMyPlant keeps you on schedule so your plants always look their best.
Start chatting with your plants🌿Related Plant Guides
Tulip
BeginnerTulipa
Spring-flowering bulbous perennials with showy cup-shaped flowers in many colors; grown from bulbs, prefer full sun and well-drained soil, and require a cold dormant period to bloom.
Common yarrow
BeginnerAchillea millefolium
Hardy, low-maintenance perennial herb with feathery leaves and flat clusters of tiny flowers; tolerates poor soils, drought, and full sun.
Baby's-breath
BeginnerGypsophila
Genus of herbaceous flowering plants (baby's-breath) grown for airy clusters of tiny white or pink flowers; prefers full sun and well‑drained, neutral to alkaline soil.
Common hyacinth (Dutch hyacinth)
BeginnerHyacinthus orientalis
Fragrant spring-blooming bulbous perennial with dense spikes of bell-shaped flowers in various colors; commonly grown in gardens and containers; hardy in temperate climates.
Last updated: 11/7/2025