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Herb

Sage

Salvia officinalis

A hardy Mediterranean herb with soft grey leaves, well suited to Adelaide's dry summers. Plant in full sun with sharp drainage and water sparingly once established. Trim after flowering to keep it bushy, and replace plants every 4 to 5 years when they go woody.

When to plant where you live

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Planting times for other areas

Varieties (4)

  • Common (garden) sageThe standard culinary sage; strong flavour, blue-purple flowers
  • Pineapple sage (Salvia elegans)A different species with fruity leaves and red flowers that birds love
  • Purple sagePurple-tinged leaves with the same flavour; ornamental
  • Tricolour sageCream, pink and green leaves; less vigorous, good in pots

Neighbours

Grows well with

Keep away from

From seed to plate

  1. Plant

    50 cm apart. Full sun.

  2. Water

    Sparing.

  3. Feed

    None needed.

  4. Pick, from about 9 weeks

    Pick leaves any time.

Good to know

  • Harvest leaves before flowering for the best flavour
  • Take tip cuttings in spring to renew plants

Common problems

  • Root rot in wet soilplant in raised beds or pots with gritty mix; don't overwater
  • Powdery mildew in humid spellsspace for airflow, water at the base
  • Leggy, woody plantstrim by a third after flowering; replace old plants from cuttings

If you use a garden chemical, follow the label exactly. Try organic options first, and ask the community or Plant Doctor if you're unsure.

Ask the garden helper about sageAny question, answered from the plant libraryHow others are growing sageQuestions, tips and harvests from the community

Guides

Wildlife

Good for: bees.

Where this information comes from

Reviewed by AI cross-check (Claude), not a horticulturist on 27 Oct 2026. Version 2.