Climate matters. This page is a practical baseline. Confirm cultivar, local frost/heat conditions, mature size and regional restrictions before planting.
Sage — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Salvia officinalis |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 10–21 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 15.6–21.1 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 75–100 |
| Measured from | Transplant |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 45.7–61 |
| Mature height (cm) | 45.7–76.2 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 45.7–61 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 4–8 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Low |
| Sowing method | indoor-start |
Growing directions
Press seeds 1/8 in into well-drained seed mix and keep at 60–70°F; germination is steady but takes two to three weeks. Plant in sandy, well-drained soil in full sun; wet, poorly drained soil is the leading cause of sage death. Prune hard in early spring once new growth shows at the base to prevent the plant from becoming too woody. Harvest young leaves throughout the season, cutting stems back by no more than one-third at a time.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0