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

14 Oct 20, Rhiannon (Australia - temperate climate)
hi Gail, Please email me about your sage journey in south Oz! Very keen to know if it took off as you expected
16 Jun 19, Lois (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi Gail, i'd be interested in hearing about your white sage growing. Hopefully my email address is visible t you! Cheers, Lois (Gardenate doesn't show email addresses unless they are part of the comment -Liz)
16 Jun 19, Lois (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Thanks Liz. Gail, if you have time to keep in touch, my email is [email protected]. Thank you
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.
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
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
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.
Showing 21 - 30 of 42 comments

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.

- Janine A Young

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