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How to Grow Sage

How to Grow Sage

Want a thriving herb garden? Sage is the perfect herb to begin with. Sage is a hardy perennial that’s easy to grow. Whether growing it in your garden or containers, this video will walk you through everything you need to know about growing sage successfully, even in hot climates like Arizona.

Jump to learn how to grow sage in Arizona

Jump to learn how to grow sage in containers.

How to Grow Sage

Why Grow Sage?

Sage is a popular Mediterranean herb known for its wooly, gray-green aromatic leaves. It’s hardy to USDA zones 4-8 and is particularly well-suited to desert areas, thanks to its tolerance for hot weather, poor soil, and minimal water. In addition to its culinary uses, sage produces spikes of purple flowers that attract pollinators and beneficial insects, adding beauty and biodiversity to your garden. Sage made the list of the top plants to attract beneficial insects to your garden.

Sage Blossoms

Getting Started: Planting Sage

Plant sage outside after danger of frost is passed

Starting Sage Seeds Indoors

Grow Sage from Seeds

Growing sage from seed can be challenging, but if growing sage from seed, here’s how to do it:

  1. Start seeds indoors about 2 months before the last frost.
  2. Sow 2-3 seeds 1/4″ (.6 cm) deep in individual containers.
  3. Once germination occurs, thin to one plant per container.
  4. Pot up into three-inch pots when plants are 2-3 inches (5-7 inches) tall and have 2 sets of leaves.
  5. After the last frost, transplant the seedlings outside, spacing them 12 inches (30cm) apart.

Learn more about how to start seeds indoors in this blog post.

Planting Sage in a Raised Bed

Using Transplants

Choosing Sage Transplants

For those who prefer a quicker start, transplants are a fantastic option:

  1. Look for healthy, sturdy plants with multiple stems in three inch (7 cm) or larger pots. Avoid leggy or root-bound plants.
  2. Transplant these into your garden after all danger of frost has passed.
How to Choose a Good Sage Transplant

Soil and Location

  1. Sunlight: Choose a location that gets plenty of sun. Afternoon shade can be beneficial in hot summer climates.
  2. Soil: Sage tolerates various soils but thrives in well-draining soil. Sage tolerates dry conditions and poor soil but will die if the soil is soggy and not well-draining. 
  3. Spacing: Plants should be spaced about 12 inches (30 cm) apart in the garden. Sage will grow to about 2 feet (60 cm) wide if allowed.


Try Different Varieties of Sage

Experiment with different varieties of sage to add variety to your garden and kitchen.

Different Varieties of Sage
Purple Sage, Dwarf Sage, Common Sage
Different Varieties of Sage (2)
Tri-Color Sage, Common Sage, Gold-Variegated Sage

How to Grow Sage in Containers

How to Grow Sage

If you’re limited on garden space or prefer the flexibility of container gardening, sage also does well in pots. Learn how to grow sage in containers with these tips:

Planting Sage in Containers
  1. Choose the Right Pot: Select a pot at least 12 inches (30cm) tall. I like terra cotta pots, as their porous nature allows sage roots to breathe.
  2. Ensure Proper Drainage: Make sure your container has drainage holes to prevent soggy roots.
  3. Watering: Water deeply but infrequently, especially during the hottest months. Sage can rot in overly wet soil.
  4. Location: Place the container in a sunny spot, preferably with afternoon shade in hot climates.
How to Grow Sage in Containers

Learn more about how to garden in containers in this blog post.


Sage Care & Maintenance

How to Grow Sage

Watering: Although sage is drought-tolerant, it benefits from regular watering, especially in the first year. Once established, allowing the soil to dry out between watering is important to prevent root rot.

Plant sage outside after danger of frost is passed

Fertilizing: Add compost occasionally to improve nutrient levels. Learn how to make compost in this blogpost.

Cutting Back Sage

Spring and Fall Pruning: At the end of winter or summer, prune sage back when you see new growth at the base. Prune to remove dead wood and for shape. This rejuvenates the plant and encourages fresh growth. This is a good time to top with compost.

How to Grow Sage

Longevity: Sage plants become woody after about 5 years and may need to be replaced. In very cold areas, mulch sage in winter to protect it from extreme temperatures.


Pest Management

Sage is susceptible to various pests, including slugs, spider mites, spittlebugs, aphids, and whiteflies. Often, damage is minor and best left untreated. For organic and minimally invasive treatments, consider the following options:

  1. Handpicking: Handpicking can be an effective method for larger pests like slugs.
  2. Natural Predators: Encourage beneficial insects and animals, such as ladybugs, lacewings, spiders, and birds, which are natural predators of many pests.
  3. Organic Insecticidal Soaps: These are usually safe for the plant but deadly for small pests like mites and aphids. They work by covering the pests and dehydrating them. Unfortunately, they can also kill beneficial insects. Use sparingly and only if the plant’s life is threatened.
Pest Damage on Sage
Pest damage on sage

Harvesting sage

Harvesting Sage
  • First-Year Harvest: Individual leaves can be harvested once the plant is established.
  • Subsequent Years: Cut stems to within 6 inches of the base just as flowers start to open.

Harvest sage leaves as needed year-round. When harvesting, take a few leaves from each stem. This will help the plants continue to grow and produce more sage for you to use. Always use clean scissors or pruners when harvesting. Enjoy adding fresh sage to your favorite dishes.

Sage Blossoms

Many varieties of sage bear edible flowers. Harvest flower spikes to encourage a second flush of blooms. Unlike other herbs, sage leaves are still delicious after the plant flowers


Storing & Using Sage

Dry sage to enjoy later. Dry sage leaves on a screen in a well-ventilated area. I like these herb-drying screens from Amazon. You can also tie several branches together and hang them upside down. Allowing leaves to dry slowly prevents them from becoming moldy. Once leaves are completely dry, store them in airtight jars for the best flavor. 

Freeze-drying is an excellent way to preserve sage. This preservation method is ideal for longer-term storage, allowing you to enjoy the fresh flavor of sage long after it has been harvested. Learn more about how to freeze dry herbs in this blog post.

Freeze-dried herbs

Tips for How to Grow Sage in Arizona

Sage is one of the easiest herbs to grow year-round in the low desert of Arizona. Learn about more of my favorite perennial herbs for hot climates in this blog post. Here are a few tips for how to grow sage in Arizona.

When to Plant Sage
Sage Arizona planting dates in the Low Desert of Arizona Vegetable, Herb & Fruit Planting Guide
  • Plant sage in October or November or from February to April.
  • Choose an area with excellent drainage. I like to plant sage in the corners of raised beds, allowing the plants to spill over the sides.
  • During the hottest months, water sage deeply but infrequently. Sage rots easily in hot, wet soil. 
  • I usually cut back my sage once or twice during the year. This is also a good time to trim any dead or diseased stems. Either in the spring, after the danger of frost has passed, or in the fall, after summer’s hottest temperatures are over and nighttime temperatures are beginning to fall.
  • After pruning, I top the sage with some fresh compost. The sage recovers quickly and puts on a flush of new growth.
Cut Sage Back
Sage after spring pruning
Planting Sage in a Raised Bed
After pruning, sage puts on a flush of new growth

Learn more about how to grow herbs in hot summer climates in this blog post.


Arizona Herb Planting Guide_ A Visual Planting Guide for Low Desert Herbs

Arizona Herb Planting Guide helps you learn when to plant over 30 different herbs in Arizona, and whether to plant seeds or transplants.


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2 comments on "How to Grow Sage"

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  1. hi .. i enjoyed this article .. welll written and informative .. thanks ..
    and, i have a question that i’m having difficulty find an answer to, so will ask you directly:

    after i prune back a rather large sage plant growing in the garden, can i then dig it up and either move it or put it into a large pot? ..

    thank you ..

    1. Hard to say. I don’t have a lot of experience transplanting sage. You could try just before it starts growing in the spring. Let me know how it goes.

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