Common sage care guide

Salvia officinalis

Also known as: Garden sage, Culinary sage

Herbs
Care level: Moderate

Pets and children

We haven't been able to confirm how this plant affects pets or small children. If any is eaten, consult a veterinarian or a doctor.

How often to water Common sage

Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep): Every 3 days; Sensitive to wet soil: water the base a day or two after the topsoil dries, as a guide, keeping the leaves dry and the pot out of rainy-season rain.
Autumn (Oct–Nov): Every 5 days; The soil dries more slowly, so wait a few days after it dries, as a guide.
Winter (Dec–Feb): Every 7 days; Keep it on the dry side in winter, watering on a mild morning a few days after the soil dries, as a guide.

Light and placement for Common sage

Generally wants full sun and moving air, with a sunny outdoor spot as the guide; it struggles in heat and humidity, so keep it under the eaves out of the rain from the rainy season through midsummer with air moving around it.

Overwintering Common sage

Overwintering guide: −10°C (14°F) or above

Hardy and generally overwintered outdoors as a guide: water sparingly and keep the pot under the eaves so frost heave does not lift the roots, though freezing wind may scorch some leaves.

Fertilizing and repotting Common sage

Fertilizer

Needs little: a small dose of slow-release fertilizer in spring and fall as a guide; overfeeding makes it leggy and rot-prone, and none is given in midsummer or winter.

When to repot

Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep), Autumn (Oct–Nov)

Common problems with Common sage

Rainy-season and summer humidity blacken the lower leaves and the plant dies upward.
Overwatered, the roots rot and the wilted leaves do not recover.
After a few years the stems turn woody and the leaves thin out.

Tips for growing Common sage

Thin and cut it back before the rainy season to help it through summer.
Harvest the upper leaves on the morning of a dry, sunny day.
After three or four years, root cuttings to raise a young replacement.

These are AI-generated general guidelines. They vary with the variety, the placement and the pot size. For effects on pets or children, consult a veterinarian or a doctor.

Keep your plant log going

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