Growing sage at home is a big way to sum evergreen leaf to your garden , and have fragrant herbs on deal for cooking .
But it can be a little fussy , so you ’ll need to learn how to grow and care for it right for the best success .
This template will teach you how to produce sage no matter what your skill tier is . Below you ’ll get word everything you want to know , include the right sun , water , filth , fertilizer , pruning , harvest , and more .
Sage growing in my garden
Table of Contents
Quick Sage Plant Care Overview
Information About Sage
Sage ( Saliva officinalis ) , also known as vulgar sage , is atype of perennial herb . It ’s from the Mediterranean and belongs to the Lamiaceae , or mint , family , which also includeslavenderandoregano .
It ’s a hardy plant with fragrant , oblong , velvety - textured leaves . It can get blue , purple , pink , or white bloom between previous spring and summertime , look on the eccentric .
Gardeners eff to grow it for the beautiful and extremely fragrant foliage and vivacious blooms , but many varieties also have culinary uses .
Different Types
There are one C of types of salvia , but they all have like care needs . The variety differ in edibleness , foliage and flower color , sizing , and temperature tolerance . Here are some of the more democratic types :
Hardiness
If you know in growing zones 4 - 10 , you could find a audacious salvia variety that will live the winter and fare back every twelvemonth in your garden .
But it ’s good to replant it annually if you live in a area that is either cold or has high heat and humidity in the summertime .
How Does Sage Grow?
Sage is a mounding President Bush - style plant life with branching stems . The stem set off out soft and green and produce fragrant leaves until they become woody with historic period .
Flower spikes with clusters of colorful blush will grow at the top of stem turn sometime between recent leap and summer , count on your climate .
How To Grow Sage
Before we discuss how to care for it , you should learn when and where to grow salvia . Use these tips to choose the perfect position in your garden .
Where To Grow Sage
you’re able to grow salvia in the soil , conjure bed , or pots , as long as it pay back full Dominicus and well - drained dirt .
Keep your plant sheltered from strong winds , and give it enough blank to take into account airflow as it grows . Choose a container that ’s at least 12 ” wide with drain fix to prevent overwatering .
When To Plant
The effective time to plant sage is 1 - 2 weeks before your last spring frost when the ground is workable and the soil is above 60 ° F ( 15.5 ° coke ) .
In regions with soft winters , you may also establish in mid - fall , after the heat of summer has faded .
Sage Plant Care & Growing Instructions
Now that you know where and when to bug out , it ’s time to learn how to grow sage . habituate my tips below to help create the ideal environs for your industrial plant to flourish .
Sunlight
Give your salvia plant 6 - 8 hours of full sun daily for the best color and flavor . Some fond shade is all right , but expect slower increase .
However , if you live somewhere with red-hot summers , expend ashade clothin the afternoon , or grow it where it only receives aurora sunshine to prevent wilting .
Water
Sage need more pee in the first class than it does once it ’s established . Water it when the dirt feels dry to the skin senses , but avoid soaking it , because too much can cause rot . Amoisture gauge probewill help you get it just right .
Once established , it ’s more drought tolerant and only needs a just potable when the top few column inch dry out .
Temperature
The ideal temperature range for growing salvia is between 60 - 95 ° F ( 15.5 - 35 ° C ) . Anything colder can slow or shillyshally the growth .
Some varieties are hardy down to 5 ° F ( -15 ° C ) or down in the mouth with winter protection , but extreme or extended freezes can kill it .
They will start to endure in higher passion , specially when combined with humidity . Protect your plants during a heat wave with shadiness textile , and offer extra moisture in dry climates .
Fertilizer
Though they can do just ticket without plant food , course your salvia flora on a regular basis is a well way to encourage goodly , free burning maturation .
habituate anorganic smooth fertilizer , or a world-wide one likecompost teaorfish emulsion , once monthly from spring through summertime . You could also top - frock withslow - release granulesannually .
Soil
It ’s essential to provide your Salvia officinalis with well - drained soil . expectant Henry Clay will retain too much wet and can lead to root rot .
Amend your garden soil with plenty ofcompostto supercharge food . you could also add sand or perlite to help improve drainage . Usehigh - quality potting soilfor container , and mix it with a few handfuls ofperlite .
Pruning
You should rationalize your salvia industrial plant to maintain airflow , prevent disease , and control the size each year . utilise a sharp , sterile pair ofpruning shearsto cut the offset back in the early spring before new maturation set about .
Give it another easy trimming after it ’s done flowering to remove the washed-out bloom and trigger new growth .
Pest Control Tips
Because of its strong fragrance , sage is not often affected by pest . But it can once in a while be attack by bug like aphids , whiteflies , blood-red spider mites , or leafhoppers .
A sharp blast of water will knock down the insect population , or you could apply aneem oilspray orinsecticidal soapto regale haunting infestations .
Disease Control Tips
The most vulgar disease that dissemble Salvia officinalis are rusting , radical rot , powdery mildew , and fungous foliage spots . gamey humidity , temperature swings , and overwatering are often the crusade .
you may go for anorganic fungicide , but you should also meliorate flow of air by snip . water supply only at the base , and never to the point of making the soil soggy .
Tips For Harvesting Sage
In the first twelvemonth you should only clean a few leaves or small base at a time . Once your sage is established , you could glean up to ⅓ of the plant without harm it .
employ sharp , sterilemicro - snipsorprecision prunersto snip small stems , or you could pinch off individual leave with your finger .
Stopharvesting your sage6 - 8 weeks before your first drop icing to allow your plant life to recoup and store free energy for the winter .
Sage growing in my garden
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Sage is low - sustentation once launch , but no industrial plant is altogether problem - free . If you encounter one of these common issues , use my tips to help get yours back into good health .
Leaves Turning Brown
dark-brown sage leaves indicate overwatering , drought , a fungous contagion , utmost Dominicus photo , or pests .
Keep them shaded in the summertime during high heat , and water regularly , but do n’t puddle the grime . Check for pests and treat them as before long as you see them .
Plant Drooping
Environmental focus , such as temperature swings , poor soil , overwatering , or disease , are common causes of drooping sage plant life .
Use amoisture gaugeand well - draining grease to serve keep overwatering , and handle any signs of disease with anorganic fungicideor pruning .
White Spots On Leaves
Powdery mold is the most vulgar reasonableness for white place on salvia leaves . employ anorganic fungicide , prune forth heavily affect leafage , and increase airflow by trimming dense growth .
Leaves Turning Yellow
yellow leaves are a preindication of nutrient deficiency or environmental stress , such as extreme temperatures , sudden wet increase from heavy rainfall , or inconsistent lacrimation .
Allow the soil to dry 1 - 2″ deep between lachrymation , it should be damp but not soppy . employ organic fertiliser on a regular basis , and reduce Dominicus stress with ashade cloth .
FAQs
It does n’t take long to grow salvia , and you may start harvesting as soon as the plant life has several leave-taking . But it takes about one twelvemonth for them to reach their full matureness .
No , sage does not typically spread out on its own . Though they can self - sow if you leave the seed pods on the plant after flowering .
salvia is very easy to grow once it ’s established , as long as you give it the proper care . depart with fast - draining prolific soil , full sun , and proper watering .
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