Growing Sage, also Common Sage

Salvia officinalis : Lamiaceae / the mint family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
      S S S            
        T T T          
        P P P          

(Best months for growing Sage in Australia - tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed

May: Best grown in large pots or planter boxes as sage cannot cope with very wet soil.

  • Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 77°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 20 inches apart
  • Harvest in approximately 18 months. Time reduced if grown from cuttings.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Broccoli, Cauliflower, Rosemary, Cabbage and Carrots

Your comments and tips

02 Apr 14, Sue (Australia - temperate climate)
I bought some white sage a couple of days ago via eBay from Victoria. Plants have been delivered and are in great shape.
14 Mar 15, Jewels Dion (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello Sue.. I wonder if you might email me your supplier for white sage, I have had no luck with the seeds i've had and would like seedlings. Thanks - Jewels
25 Jan 14, Cass (Australia - temperate climate)
I have two sage plants growing near each other - currently only about 4 inches tall. On one plant only, the leaves seem to be being eaten by something which leaves a 'lace' type pattern on the leaves i.e. its not eating the leaf in its entirety, almost just nibbling away at the leaf between the veins, from the centre of the leaf outwards which leaves behind a 'lace' effect - quite unusual to see. Any feedback on what this is? how to treat? is it likely to spread to be non effected plant?
24 Mar 14, Queen (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Sage plants care Its probably eaten by ... Leaf Miner. The best way is to manually cut the affected leaf off and do not leave any traces as they reproduce in short time. Sage do not like moist soil. Avoid peat moss. Use top soil with Perlite. All the best and have fun gardening.
26 Aug 14, tricua (Australia - temperate climate)
Who was the white sage seller in victoria on ebay
20 Apr 17, marilyn hoare (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Itoo would like some white sage if anyone can help
29 Aug 14, Do (Australia - tropical climate)
Hi. I live in Brisbane and wonder if I can use Salvia ‘Love and Wishes’ Salvia buchananii hybrid as a permanent shrub in full sun and how long it will live
13 Aug 16, Meg (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I live in temperate climate but we have had quite a chilly winter and spring with some frosts, so I chose cool/mountain to reflect local conditions at the moment. I live in the hills outside Melbourne. My white sage looks sick - nothing like when I first bought it - with its top leaves and stem drooping and some pale brown patches appearing on the leaves. It's still in its pot - was advised best not to plant out until warmer weather. I've kept it in a sheltered position and well-drained but its looking sicker by the day. I would be very grateful for some advice, thankyou.
24 Jun 17, Janine A Young (Australia - temperate climate)
It sounds like it may be over-watered to me. Sage prefers to dry out between deep waterings. In Winter a weekly water would be the most frequent I would attempt; but a better indication of when to water is when a fingertip inserted into the soil finds it dry to the depth of 1inch.
26 Apr 18, Gail (Australia - temperate climate)
Howdy im working towards being a white sage grower in South Australia, if you're interested in being apart of my journey, feel free to email me. Cheers.
Showing 11 - 20 of 42 comments

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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