common sage

Common sage should be watered on a regular basis. The soil should be kept moist, but not soggy. During the summer, plan to water your Common Sage about once a week. Make sure to water deeply, applying enough water to moisten the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches. During hotter, dryer times of the year, your Common Sage may require more frequent watering. In the winter, water every other week, unless the plant experiences prolonged periods of drought or intense cold. A good rule of thumb is to check the soil around the plant for moisture before watering. If the soil is still moist, wait until it has dried out before applying more water.

Common sage (Salvia officinalis 'Tricolor') requires 4 to 5 hours of direct sunlight each day. Place the plant in an unobstructed windowsill that faces east, south, or west. This sage variety is especially sensitive to afternoon heat, so avoid direct sun between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm during the summer months. Common sage can survive indirect light, but will not flower or achieve its fullest potential without plenty of sunlight.

Common sage (Salvia officinalis 'Tricolor') should be pruned in the early spring, before new growth begins. This should be done by cutting back any dead or damaged stems to healthy growth. Prune your sage plant from the top down, leaving only the strongest new growth at the base. Additionally, remove any errant side shoots to prevent overcrowding and encourage new growth. Some gardeners also like to pinch off the flowers off of their sage plants to promote additional leaf growth. All pruning should be done using sharp, clean pruning shears.