Sage Plants
(Image credit: Bonnie McCann)

Growing sage (Salvia officinalis) in your garden can be rewarding, especially when it is time to cook a delicious dinner. Wondering how to grow sage? Planting sage is easy.

Choosing Edible Types of Sage Plant

There are many types of sage plant and not all of them are edible. When choosing a sage plant for your herb garden, choose one such as:

  • Garden Sage
  • Purple Sage
  • Tri-color Sage
  • Golden Sage

How to Grow Sage

The best place for planting sage is in full sun. Your sage plant should be put in a well draining soil, as sage does not like its roots to remain wet. Sage comes from a hot, dry climate and will grow best in conditions like this.

Growing Sage from Seeds

Planting sage seeds requires patience, as sage seeds are slow to germinate. Scatter the seeds over seed starting soil and cover them with 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) of soil. Keep the soil damp but not soaked. Not all the seeds will germinate and the ones that do may take up to six weeks to germinate.

Growing Sage from Cuttings

More commonly, sage is grown from cuttings. In the spring, take softwood cuttings from a mature sage plant. Dip the cut tip of the cutting in rooting hormone, then insert into potting soil. Cover with clear plastic and keep in indirect sunlight until new growth appears on the cutting. At this time you can plant the sage out into your garden. Now that you know how to grow sage, there is no excuse not to add this delicious herb to your garden. It is a perennial herb that will reward your taste buds for many years after planting sage in your herb garden.

Heather Rhoades
Founder of Gardening Know How

Heather Rhoades founded Gardening Know How in 2007. She holds degrees from Cleveland State University and Northern Kentucky University. She is an avid gardener with a passion for community, and is a recipient of the Master Gardeners of Ohio Lifetime Achievement Award.