Species common sage
silver-green foliage and green stems

common sage

Salvia officinalis 'Sage of Bath'

Common sage, also known as Salvia officinalis or "Sage of Bath", is a hearty, evergreen perennial known for its beautiful, greyish-green foliage. It grows to a height of around two to three feet when mature, and bears white to purplish-blue flowers in the summertime. This plant is very fragrant, and can be used to make a variety of herbal teas. In terms of medicinal uses, common sage is known for its ability to aid digestion, reduce inflammation, and decrease pain. It may also help boost memory and concentration. Common sage plants are best grown in well-drained, sunny areas.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Cutting,Layering Propagation,Division,Stem Propagation,Root Cutting,Grafting Propagation,Air Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 7

Flowers:

Pink Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,gray,gray

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Common sage (Salvia officinalis 'Sage of Bath') should be watered deeply 1 to 2 times a week. Allow the soil to dry out almost completely in between watering. This plant enjoys full sun and requires supplemental watering in hot and dry climates. During winter, reduce the amount of water to 1 time per month. Monitor the moisture level and adjust accordingly.

sunlight

Common sage (Salvia officinalis 'Sage of Bath') prefers bright, indirect sunlight for most of the day. Ideally, it should receive at least 5 hours of sunlight each day, with a few hours of shade in the middle of the day. This plant can also tolerate full sun, but may struggle in extremely hot regions. During the winter, when sunlight hours are shorter, this plant may require even more sunlight. Common sage should be placed in an area that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day. Additionally, artificial lighting can be used to supplement or extend available sunlight when needed.

pruning

Common sage should be pruned annually, at the end of the growing season, usually early to mid-fall. Begin by removing any dead, diseased, or damaged branches, before heading into any detailed pruning. Cut out any overly long branches, any branches which are crossing each other, and any old flowering stems. Then cut back the remaining stems by around a third or a half. This will keep the shape of the plant neat and compact. It will also promote new growth the following season. Remove any flowers immediately after they finish blooming to prevent it from seeding.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Common sage typically begins flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Common sage typically begins flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Hardiness Map