Salvia officinalis /ˈsælviə ɔf.fɪ.kiːˈnaː.lɪs/
Common name: Sage · Common sage
Salvia officinalis is a perennial evergreen subshrub in the mint family, Lamiaceae, native to the Mediterranean. Its soft, gray-green leaves have a warm, savory flavor essential to many European dishes. It has a long history of medicinal use, reflected in its species name officinalis.
Care summary
Sun
Full sun
Water
Low; drought-tolerant once established
Soil
Well-draining, sandy or loamy
Hardiness
Zones 4–8
Mature height
0.3–0.8 m (1–2.5 ft)
Pet safe
Mildly toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA)
Difficulty
Easy
Propagation
Take softwood or semi-ripe stem cuttings about 10 cm long in late spring or summer, strip the lower leaves, and root them in gritty, just-moist compost. Low branches can also be layered by pegging them into the soil until they root, and species plants grow reasonably well from seed.
Fun facts
- Sage is a classic pairing with butter and pasta, and the flavoring in traditional stuffing.
- Purple, tricolor, and golden variegated cultivars are grown as ornamentals.
- Ancient Romans believed sage promoted wisdom and longevity.