Salvia officinalis aka Sage

Taxonomy

Common Sage (Salvia officinalis) is a popular houseplant and a perennial, evergreen subshrub with woody stems, grayish leaves, and blue to purplish flowers which is native to the Mediterranean region. Though it has been naturalized in many places throughout the world, it still grows in its native Europe and Central and Eastern Asia, as well as Central and South America, on rocky terrain and dry meadows from sea level to mountainous areas. Common Sage is a fun challenge to grow and needs regular watering and direct, long-lasting light to thrive, and it should be less than 1 foot away from a window. For many centuries, it has been used medicinally and culinarily, and in our modern times, it is used as an attractive garden plant.

Common names

Sage, Common Sage, Kitchen Sage

How to care for Sage

Difficulty

With a bit of knowledge and dedication, you can successfully care for Sage, making it a rewarding choice for those seeking a moderate challenge.

Water

Sage should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Sage loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Sage requires abundant, bright and direct light. Placing it less than one foot from a window is the best way to make sure the plant receives enough light to survive and thrive. Depending on your region, however, the current weather can affect the placement of the plant in your home. For example, in some areas the sun may be too direct and intense, so it's best to place it farther away from the window. You may also need to adjust your placement according to the season as the sunlight can change intensity over the course of the year. If you live in a region with significant temperature fluctuations, such as a desert, you may need to place the plant a bit farther away from the window to avoid extreme heat or cold. With some care and attention, your Sage will be sure to bring you many years of beauty and enjoyment.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it is common for Sage plants to go dormant and their growth rate may slow down. Therefore, the amount of waterings should be spaced out more.

Cat approves this plant

Toxicity

Sage is not known to cause harm to humans or pets.

Humidity

The Sage does not demand additional humidity levels. Water is mostly absorbed by the roots of plants, rather than their leaves, and the best way to provide humidity to your plants is through watering the soil.

Fertilizer

Once the Sage has doubled in size or after a year has passed, it should be moved to a new pot. By replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the vital nutrients, your plant will receive all the sustenance it needs, negating the requirement for fertilizer. It's important to remember that plants get their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Region of origin

Sage’s native range is Worldwide.

Flower

If you provide your Sage with adequate amounts of sunlight and water, it will bloom.


More info:
Wikipedia