Introducing Sage
I remember the first time I had crispy sage leaf. I was at a restaurant and ordered the butternut squash ravioli topped with crispy sage leaf. After taking a single bite, it was clear that this garnish was the feature that made the entire dish.
Ever since then I have always had either fresh sage or dried sage in my pantry. Sage has a super long history of both culinary uses and medicinal uses. It grows like a weed in the wild, smells incredible, and tastes even better.
Whether you hear it under the name of common sage, golden sage, garden sage, kitchen sage, true sage, culinary sage, or Dalmation sage, this is an herb you’re going to want to introduce to your regular cooking routine. It is part of the mint family (lamiaceae) and grows just as happily.
And the best part of it all is that you needn’t live in a super warm place to grow sage! This article is going to go through all it takes to grow sage indoors (it doesn’t take all that much) and some other important information about this wonderful plant.
What do Sage Plants Look Like?
You’ve probably seen a sage shrub growing in the wild before. They grow everywhere throughout the western United States, decorating deserts with small shrubs with gray/green evergreen leaves.
These small bushes grow from woody stems that are very branching. They will commonly only grow to be around 2 feet tall, though some species can achieve heights over 5 feet!
Their stems are covered with small leaves (that are variable in size, shape, and color according to species) that are usually quite small and oblong.
Sage leaves are known for being a delicate gray/green color and each leaf is covered in tiny little hairs. They are also evergreen, meaning that the leaves will remain green and persist on the plant.
A sage leaf is what is responsible for that iconic sage fragrance. Their leaves contain a ton of oils that when brushed are released through those tiny little hairs.
Sage plants also produced small blue/purple flowers. This is a perennial plant type, meaning that it will continue to produce flower blossoms each year as long as its ideal growing conditions are met and maintained.
What are some Types of Sage?
White Sage (Salvia Apiana) – also known as bee sage, or sacred sage, white sage is a very important herb that grows all over the southwestern United States and has spiritual significance to certain Native American communities.
White sage is an evergreen perennial shrub that can grow to be over 4 feet tall and is covered with tons of evergreen leaves that are a white/green color. They have a very strong aroma and are accompanied by pale purple flowers.
Pineapple Sage (Salvia Elegans) – pineapple sage gets its name because when its leaves are crushed, they have a scent that has been likened to a spicy pineapple!
This is a perennial shrub that can achieve heights of over 5 feet! It has notable square stems and yellow/green leaves that are very fuzzy. Flowers are also yellow.
Purple Sage (Salvia Dorrii) – purple sage is also known under the name of desert sage. It grows all throughout the western United States as prosperously as a weed would!
Purple sage is a perennial plant with woody upright stems. It bears that purple evergreen leaves that are super duper aromatic, accompanied by deep blue flowers.
Common Sage (Salvia Officinalis) – common sage is the most well known of all the sage species and you’ll probably find this specimen in someone’s pantry.
This Mediterranean herb has those classic gray/green leaves that are highly fragrant, accompanied by lavender flower spikes. It is known as being one of easiest herbs to grow.
Where does Sage Grow?
Sage just simply loves to grow. Though this is originally a Mediterranean herb, sage plants have become naturalized all over the world. They can grow in USDA growing zones 4 through 10.
When growing wild, you can find sage shrubs (also called sage brush in these settings) in areas that are super hot and dry. They love desert zones with a ton of sun and not too much precipitation.
This means that when you’re picking a spot in your garden, choose an area that receives a ton of sunlight and in soil that has been amended with sand. They need good drainage in order to be happy!
How is Sage Used?
Culinary – Sage is known as being one of those essential kitchen herbs along with parsley, rosemary, and thyme. (We know you’ve heard the song Scarborough Fair). Impress your friends by garnishing with a fresh leaf of sage!
Fresh sage makes for an amazing addition to poultry and fish dishes, and it holds up when its put in the oven. Dried sage is great because it lasts all year long and brings a punch of flavor to savory dishes.
Medicinal – An aspect that not everyone knows about sage is that it is also a medicinal plant. It is packed with antioxidants which supports all sorts of stuff like brain health, teeth health, and can even help lower blood sugar levels. Sage can be consumed medicinally through tea or through aromatherapy with essential oil.
Ceremonial – As we mentioned earlier, white sage is very significant to certain Native American communities. White sage only grows around the Baja peninsula. It is used in different ceremonies, spread along the floor of sweatlodges, and is used for its healing, calming, and purifying qualities.
How do you Grow Sage Indoors?
Now for the reason why we’re all here: growing sage indoors! The cool thing is that this can be done at any time of year! Growing sage is super straight forward both in getting them established and maintaining the plant’s health. Like I mentioned before, they just want to grow and plant care is super straight forward! You’ll need a few things to get started:
- ceramic pots (terracotta)
- sage seeds
- free draining potting mix
- balanced fertilizer (equal parts nitrogen/phosphorous/potassium
- grow light
Light – a ton of sunlight is super important if your sage plant is going to be happy. If you happen to have a south facing window that gets at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight, that’s perfect.
If you don’t have that ideal sunny window, you will need to get a grow light. You’ll want it about 5 inches above your seedlings, and you’ll need to set the timer for 14-16 hours per day.
Soil – it is super important that the potting mix that you choose is extremely well draining. The soil can be amended with sand to accomplish this. That’s also why you’ll need terracotta pots, because they’re great for releasing excess moisture.
Moisture – sage plant are kind of sensitive to water levels. They don’t want to be completely dry but they also do not tolerate having wet feet. It’s best to just let the soil to dry out at the top couple inches before watering again.
Instead of consistent watering, sage plants also love humidity. You can place the pot on top of a tray of pebbles filled with water or place it near a humidifier (or keep it in the bathroom!)Keeping soil moist but not wet is ideal.
Fertilizer – though they are used to growing in some pretty poor soil in the wild, sage plants actually really appreciate being fertilized, especially when they are living indoors. Provide the plant with a balanced fertilizer (it will say 10-10-10 on the package) every couple weeks during its active growing season.
Planting – once you have all those conditions in your mind, growing sage becomes very easy. All you’ll need to do is plant 2-3 seeds in each pot and pick the perfect spot in your home.
Seedlings will start to sprout in 2-3 weeks, and leaves will be ready for harvesting in around 3 months from the time of planting. Growing herbs takes a little bit, but once they’re an established plant, they’re always there for you!
Harvesting – leaves tend to taste better before the plant flowers, so keep an eye for those little developing flower buds. Stick to picking leaves that are fully grown and leave the smaller leaves to keep on growing. The time of year to harvest sage completely depends on when they were planted and when their growing season is.
Learn all the super important details of Caring for Sage Plant here!
FAQs
What are the damaging agents to sage plants?
The most damage that you can do to a sage plant is over water it or plant it in soil that isn’t well draining. They are very susceptible to developing root rot, so avoid over watering. Additionally, try to avoid watering the plant from above. Getting water on the leaves of the plant can encourage powdery mildew, which we also don’t want.
Are sage plants deer resistant?
A great thing about fresh herbs with super fragrant leaves is the fact that they completely deter pests both small and large. Whether it be a deer, rabbit, squirrel, or smaller pests like aphids, spider mites, or white flies, fresh herbs will deter them.
This is because pests tend to avoid plants with super fragrant leaves. Gardeners will often plant sage for companion planting to help with those pesky pests.
Are sage plants perennials?
Sage plants are a perennial plant type, meaning that they will continue to produce flower blossoms each early spring as long as their ideal growing conditions are met and maintained.
What USDA growing zone can sage plants grow in?
Sage plants can grow in USDA growing zones 4 through 10.
How often should a sage plant be watered?
Sage plant are kind of sensitive to water levels. They don’t want to be completely dry but they also do not tolerate having wet feet. It’s best to just let the soil to dry out at the top couple inches before watering again.
Instead of consistent watering, sage plants also love humidity. You can place the pot on top of a tray of pebbles filled with water or place it near a humidifier (or keep it in the bathroom!) Keeping soil moist but not wet is ideal.
Can you grow sage from sage cuttings?
Sage cuttings are a great and quick way to quickly plant sage. Just take a healthy looking stem cutting and dip it in root hormone and plant it is a well draining planting mixture. An established plant will grow vary quicker that growing from sage seed.
Should a sage plant be pruned?
Pruning a sage plant should be done in the early spring. You don’t need to prune a young plant, but you can prune an established plant by snipping away the heavy woody stems to promote new growth.
Do sage plants prefer full sun or partial shade?
Where can I buy sage seeds?
It is super easy to find sage seed. It is a very common herb that you can purchase at any nursery or garden centre, or you can very conveniently purchase them online as well. From here, you can choose to plant seeds indoors or outdoors! However, starting seeds indoors guarantees a happy outdoor plant.
What is the ideal soil type for a sage plant?
It is super important that the potting mix that you choose is extremely well draining. The soil can be amended with sand to accomplish this. That’s also why you’ll need terracotta pots, because they’re great for releasing excess moisture.
What is the easiest way to propagate a sage plant?
Sage plants are known as being one of the easiest herbs to grow inside or outside. As an indoor herb, you can choose to start either from seed or from stem cutting. Starting from seed is slightly more time consuming, but it’s always so fun to see a plant start to sprout from seed!
How tall do sage plants get?
Sage plants can grow to be anywhere from 1 foot tall to 5 feet tall. It all depends on the species of sage and if it is growing in its ideal conditions.
