Overview
Salvia officinalis is a woody-based, mounding, evergreen sub-shrub in the mint family (Lamiaceae) reaching 12–24 inches (30–60 cm) tall with an 18–30 inch (45–75 cm) spread. Stems are square at the base (characteristic of Lamiaceae), becoming woody with age, gray-green, softly pubescent. Leaves are opposite, oblong to elliptic, 1–3 inches (2.5–8 cm) long, gray-green, with a finely pebbly (rugose) texture and soft pubescence. The strong camphor-sage aroma is from thujone, camphor, and 1,8-cineole in the essential oil. Flowers are blue-violet to lavender, 0.5–0.8 inch (12–20 mm) long, tubular, two-lipped, in terminal racemes 4–8 inches (10–20 cm) long. The two-lipped corolla with a hooded upper lip is a classic Lamiaceae flower architecture. Plants become woody and leggy after 3–5 years; replacement planting is recommended at that point. Winter wet is the primary cause of death; well-drained soil and Mediterranean-type conditions produce the longest-lived plants. In the Pacific Northwest, sage thrives west of the Cascades in well-drained raised beds.
Native Range
Native to the Mediterranean and southern Europe, occurring on limestone hillsides, garrigue, and dry open ground from sea level to approximately 5,000 feet (1,500 m). Cultivated for at least 2,000 years as a medicinal and culinary herb.Suggested Uses
Planted in herb gardens, Mediterranean-style gardens, balcony containers, and kitchen windowsill plantings. The essential culinary herb for poultry, stuffing, sausage, butter-sage pasta, and bean dishes. Fresh or dried leaves are used in herbal tea. The gray-green evergreen foliage is a textural contrast in mixed herb gardens. The two-lipped Salvia flower with the lever pollination mechanism is a floral morphology teaching feature. The woody sub-shrub habit demonstrates the semi-woody Lamiaceae growth form.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 2'
Width/Spread1'6" - 2'6"
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Flowers from May through July. Terminal racemes bloom from the base upward over 2–3 weeks. Pollinated by bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The two-lipped flowers with a hooded upper lip demonstrate the classic Lamiaceae pollination mechanism (lever mechanism in Salvia). Deadheading spent flower stalks encourages compact regrowth.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Blue-violet to lavenderFoliage Description
Gray-green, oblong to elliptic, finely pebbly (rugose) texture, soft-pubescent; strongly aromatic with camphor-sage scentGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plant nursery starts or rooted cuttings in spring, spacing 18–24 inches (45–60 cm) apart in full sun with well-drained soil. Raised beds or gravel mulch improve drainage. Drought-tolerant once established; overwatering and winter wet cause root rot and premature death. Harvest stems throughout the growing season, cutting 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) of stem tips. In the Pacific Northwest, sage is evergreen and provides year-round harvest. Plants become woody and unproductive after 3–5 years; replace with new plants propagated from stem cuttings or layering. Container culture (3+ gallon) is standard for balcony and windowsill herb gardens.Pruning
Cut back by one-third in early spring (March–April) to stimulate bushy new growth — cut into green wood only, not into bare woody stems (old wood does not regenerate). Remove spent flower stalks after bloom. Light harvest-pruning throughout the growing season maintains compact form.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring
Maintenance Level
lowContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons
⚠️ Toxicity Warning
Non-toxicPlanting Guide
Planting Methods & Timing
Planting Method
transplant
Indoor Start
8 weeks before last frost
Days to Maturity
75–90 days
Plant Spacing
18 inches