Kurt Stüber [1] / CC BY-SA 3.0
herb
Sage
Salvia ×bernardina
Overview
A venerable herb whose very name means 'to heal' in Latin, sage has been used medicinally and culinarily since ancient Roman times. Its soft, silvery-green leaves have a warm, slightly bitter, camphor-like flavor that is inseparable from Thanksgiving stuffing and Italian saltimbocca. Garden sage is a beautiful, low-maintenance shrub that attracts pollinators and repels pests.
Growing Conditions
Hardiness Zones7 — 10
Height163.17m
Spread0.94m
Growth HabitForb/herb
Pollinator Valuehigh
Companion Planting & Soil
Good Companions
Avoid Planting Near
Soil pH6 — 7
Soil TypeWell-drained, lean, sandy or loamy soil
Planting Calendar
When to sow, transplant, and harvest by growing zone.
| Zone | Action | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold (1-2) | Transplant | Jun — Jun | Plant after last frost; perennial to zone 5 |
| Cold (1-2) | Harvest | Jun — Sep | Harvest lightly first year; freely after established |
| Cool (3-4) | Transplant | May — May | Plant after last frost |
| Cool (3-4) | Harvest | May — Oct | Harvest as needed |
| Moderate (5-7) | Transplant | Apr — May | Plant in spring |
| Moderate (5-7) | Harvest | Apr — Nov | Harvest as needed |
| Warm (8-9) | Transplant | Mar — Apr | Plant in spring |
| Warm (8-9) | Harvest | Mar — Nov | Harvest as needed |
| Hot (10+) | Transplant | Feb — Mar | Plant in late winter; may struggle in humid heat |
| Hot (10+) | Harvest | Oct — Apr (wraps) | Best in cool season |
Uses
Culinary
- Classic in stuffing, sausage, and brown butter sauce
- Fried whole leaves as a crispy garnish
- Sage tea with honey — a traditional sore throat remedy
Medicinal
- Antimicrobial gargle for sore throats and oral health
- Traditionally used to reduce excessive sweating
- Cognitive-enhancing properties studied for memory support
Other Uses
- Ornamental shrub with purple, tricolor, and golden varieties
- Bee and pollinator plant when flowering
- Smudging and ceremonial use (white sage, S. apiana)
