How to Grow Salvia Plants

Gardener's HQ Guide to Growing Sage, Clary, and Chia

Salvia are hardy annuals or half hardy perennials that are both nice to look at and have many culinary uses.

Some common names for Salvia include Sage, Peruvian sage, Honeydew sage, golden sage, tricolored sage, purple sage and Meadow Clary.

For the best flavour the perennial varieties may be grown as annuals or biennials.

Photographs of Peruvian Sage

Peruvian Sage

Purple Sage

Honeydew Sage

The leaves of Sage can be harvested at any time, but if you are planning to dry them, then harvest sage leaves before flowering has occurred.

Salvia plants bloom from the summer through autumn. They have lipped tubular flowers; these can be of many colours including red, purple, yellow and white.

How to Grow Sage and other Salvia Plants in the Garden

When growing Sage from seed it is very important to sow from fresh seed.

If growing indoors first, then it is necessary to first refrigerate the sage seeds for three weeks (within moist soil; in a plastic bag).

The sage seeds should then be sown on the surface of vermiculite and watered from beneath.

Germination of Sage should take from about one to three weeks at 18 to 24 degrees centigrade.

Salvia pratensis – Meadow Clary by Franco Folini.

Sage should be transplanted outdoors following the last frost.

If starting to grow Sage outdoors from the off, then sow the seed at the end of February, or in autumn for biennial Salvia plant genus members.

Sage prefers a sunny area of the garden to grow in, but may require afternoon shade in very warm areas.

The soil that Sage and other Salvia grow in should be rich and moist. Ideally the Ph will be slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5.8 to 7.0).

Salvia should be spaced at about 15 cm / 6 inches (small varieties) to 60 cm / 2 feet (large Salvia plants).

Salvia officinalis by Passa.sr; Creative Commons.

Caring for Sage in your Herb Garden

Once established pinch back the tips of young Sage plants when they reach about 16 cm (6 inches); this will encourage more branching and a bigger harvest.

Once Salvia Plants have flowered dead-head them. Sage likes moist soil, so it is important to water them regularly.

If you are growing perennial Salvia then cut them back in the autumn to about 5 cm (2 inches) in height, and divide them every four years to maintain vigor.

I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Salvia plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow Lavandula angustifolia and Mentha plants.