How to care for sage

ornamental plant

Sage is a herbaceous plant that we can find in warm and temperate regions of the world. Its growth rate is quite fast, and its cultivation demand is very low, it can be said that it can be cared for only after being planted in the garden for at least a year. You just have to know some important tips to learn how to care for sage.

In this article we are going to tell you everything you need to know about how to take care of sage and some of the best tips for it.

Key features

sage in garden

It is a perennial aromatic herb native to the Mediterranean region. It grows on rocky terrain and dry grasslands ranging from sea level to mountainous areas. It is famous for all these common names: common sage, royal sage, Medicinal sage, Granada sage, Salvia Salvia, Herb Sagrada and Salvia del Moncayo.

It can reach up to 70 cm in height and is formed by erect and pubescent stems, from which petioles emerge, long oval and oval, blue-green, purple, variegated or tricolor (less frequent) leaves. The flowers are arranged in clusters, about 3 cm long. They are pink in color and appear in spring.

By its medicinal, cosmetic and decorative properties, it is one of the most used plants in all cultures. There are more than 900 species of sage in shrubs, annuals, and perennial herbs, and their populations are found in Mediterranean Europe, Central and Eastern Asia, and Central and South America.

Some curiosities

how to take care of sage

We are going to list some of the most interesting curiosities of the sap:

  • It is a perennial plant, but not durable because it usually runs out after five years after planting, it is recommended to renew the plantation.
  • It is very rustic, so it can withstand very harsh temperatures and freeze to minus 7 degrees.
  • Sage lives best in sandy and calcareous soils relatively poor, well draining and non-clumping.
  • There are many types of sage that bloom in spring (April to June) and fall (September to December), so mixing them together can keep sage fresh all year long.
  • Being a plant of rural size and characteristics, it is easy to grow and reproduce, so we can obtain sage from the seed and the offspring of the mother plant itself.
  • If you decide to grow it from seed, you should know that it takes a long time to grow, as is often the case with perennials.
  • Like lavender, sage needs room to grow between plants so that air can circulate properly.
  • You can grow sage in the ground, in the flowerbed, or in pots. Remember, if you want to grow it in a limited container, must be much larger than the diameter of the plant so that you can develop your root structure properly.

How to care for sage

how to care for sage at home

As we mentioned at the beginning of the article, there are not too many aspects to take into account to learn how to care for salvia. Here we are going to list the main cares for you:

  • This plant needs three main aspects: adequate light, good air circulation, and loose, well-drained soil.
  • Spring sage requires a relatively warm climate, not less than 15 degrees Celsius, and autumn sage is more tolerant of temperature drops.
  • All types of sage require a lot of light to grow normally, but indirect light is preferred, so it is best placed in a semi-shaded area or provide filtered light if placed indoors. As long as it is enough, there will be no problem.
  • Air circulation between and within the plants is essential so that it does not rot, so you must ensure air circulation inside and outside the house.
  • Watering should be done moderately so that puddles do not appear. Otherwise, you could cause its roots to rot or be affected by various fungi.
  • A good technique to properly water sage is to water the substrate only when it is dry in the adult stage, but keep it moist during the growth stage.
  • As for the compost, it should be done once every two weeks and according to the amount indicated on the package. Choose fertilizers rich in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium because they are essential nutrients for this plant.
  • There are pests that can especially affect spring flowering plants and those that are vulnerable to spider mites, slugs, aphids, leaf miners, caterpillars, and whiteflies.
  • You can also prune the sage in spring if you want to keep the plant compact or give it a specific shape (but it is not absolutely necessary).

Interesting properties

Its medicinal properties include its anti-inflammatory effects and it is used to treat digestive problems and symptoms associated with menopause, such as hot flashes. Depending on the variety, growing and cultivation conditions, it can reach a height of 70 cm.

In the kitchen it can be used not only as a condiment, but also to make pickles (with leaves) and jams (with flowers). It is an important part of the famous medicinal pomace produced in Galicia. As a seasoning, it is especially suitable for fish dishes.

The ancient Persians and Indians were the first to use this plant, from the Greeks to the Gauls, almost all ancient cultures considered it sacred. What's more, sage is one of the plants that forms unexpected alliances with other plants in the garden or garden: if we plant them together, it helps to improve the growth and flavor of vegetables like carrots or fruits like tomatoes and strawberries.

How to take care of sage if you want to multiply it

Sage seeds can be sown in the spring, when the risk of frost has passed. The method to multiply it is as follows:

  • The first thing to do is to fill the pot with universal growing medium and water it thoroughly.
  • Then, scatter the seeds, being careful not to put too much in the same container. Placing 2 or 3 is always better than 5 or more because it is easier to get well-developed plants.
  • Subsequently, they are covered with a thin layer of substrate and watered with a sprayer.
  • Finally, use a pencil to write the name of the plant and the sowing date, put it in the seedbed and put it in a sunny display.
  • The first seeds will germinate in 10-17 days.

I hope that with this information you can learn more about how to care for sage.


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