🌿 Morphology
🌞 Growing conditions
🌍 Origin and family
🌾 Uses
Warning: Despite the care taken in writing this sheet, it is essential to cross-reference sources before using or consuming any plant. When in doubt, consult a qualified professional
Permaculture uses
Sage is used for culinary purposes as a flavoring herb. It has medicinal properties, acting as an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant. In the garden, it attracts pollinators and beneficial insects. It can also be used as a companion plant to repel cabbage moths and carrot rust flies. Some cultivars, like 'Purpurascens' with its purple leaves, are used for ornamental purposes.
Permapeople description
Sage is a perennial herb native to the Mediterranean region. It has woody stems with gray-green leaves that are typically 2-4 inches long and have a soft, velvety texture. The flowers of sage are small and typically blue or purple, although they can also be white or pink. Sage grows to a height of about 2-3 feet and has a spreading habit.
Sage prefers well-drained, sandy soil and full sun, and is drought-tolerant once established. It is winter hardy in most climates, but may need to be protected in very cold regions. To cultivate sage successfully, it is important to prune the plant regularly to promote new growth and prevent the plant from becoming woody.
The leaves of sage are edible and have a strong, savory flavor. They can be used fresh or dried and are often used in dishes such as stuffings, sausages, and marinades. The leaves can also be stored for later use by drying them and storing them in an airtight container.
Sage has a number of uses beyond its culinary value. It has traditionally been used for its medicinal properties, and is said to have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. It is also often used as a fertility herb and is said to promote lactation in nursing mothers. Sage can also be used as a natural insect repellent and as a mulch to suppress weeds.
Sage is valued by wildlife for its nectar, which attracts bees and other pollinators. It is also an important host plant for the larvae of several species of butterflies and moths. In addition, the leaves of sage can be used as a natural insecticide to control aphids and other garden pests.
In humid zones above 9 it might be only possible to grow as an annual.
Botanical description
Salvia officinalis is a perennial evergreen subshrub, with woody stems, grayish leaves, and blue to purplish flowers. It is a member of the Lamiaceae family. The leaves are oblong, rugose, and opposite, typically measuring 1-2.5 inches long and 0.5-1 inch wide. The flowers grow in whorls along a flowering spike, typically reaching a height of 12-30 inches. The plant is native to the Mediterranean region but is widely cultivated throughout the world.
Companion planting
Favorable: Rosemary, cabbage, carrots, tomatoes. Unfavorable: Cucumbers.
Propagation methods
Sage can be propagated through several methods, including sowing seeds, taking stem cuttings (softwood or semi-hardwood), layering, and division of established plants. Seed propagation is best done in early spring. Cuttings can be taken in late spring or early summer. Division is best done in the spring or fall.
History and traditions
Sage has a long history of use as both a culinary and medicinal herb. The Romans called it 'salvia,' derived from 'salvere' (to save), referring to its healing properties. It was traditionally used to treat snakebites, increase female fertility, and ward off evil. In the Middle Ages, it was believed to improve memory and wisdom. It continues to be used in traditional medicine and cooking around the world.
Usage calendar
Flowering: Late spring to early summer (May-June). Harvesting: Leaves can be harvested throughout the growing season, but flavor is most intense before flowering. Planting: Spring or fall. Pruning: After flowering to maintain shape and encourage bushier growth; a heavier pruning in early spring to remove dead or woody stems.