A kitchen garden classic
- Rich culinary flavor: Earthy, aromatic leaves for everyday cooking and seasonal recipes.
- Large, velvety foliage: Distinctive grey-green leaves with an unmistakable sage fragrance.
- Perennial growth: Returns year after year in suitable growing climates.
- Long-term harvests: Established plants become increasingly productive.
- Drought tolerant: Requires relatively little water once established.
- Pollinator-friendly blooms: Flowering sage can also attract beneficial pollinators.
Growing specifications
- Botanical name: Salvia officinalis
- Plant type: Perennial, Zones 5–8; annual in colder regions
- Seed type: Heirloom, open-pollinated
- Planting time: Start indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost
- Planting depth: ¼ inch
- Spacing: 18–24 inches apart
- Days to germination: 14–21 days
- Days to first harvest: 75–80 days from transplant
- Mature height: 18–24 inches
- Light requirements: Full sun, 6+ hours daily
- Water requirements: Low; drought tolerant once established
- Soil requirements: Well-drained soil
- Growing difficulty: Moderate, due to slow germination
How to grow Broadleaf Sage
- Start indoors: Sow seeds 6–8 weeks before your last frost date.
- Encourage germination: Sage germinates slowly, and a heat mat can help improve results.
- Transplant outdoors: Move seedlings after the last frost into a sunny location with excellent drainage.
- Harvest lightly during year one: Allow plants to establish before harvesting heavily.
- Enjoy established plants: Harvest more freely in subsequent years.
- Trim after flowering: Prune to help maintain compact, productive growth.
From garden to kitchen
Fresh sage brings a remarkable depth of flavor to home cooking. Harvest leaves as needed for roasted vegetables, pasta, poultry, stuffing, and herb-infused butter.
Broadleaf Sage is a practical, fragrant addition to your edible garden, offering the satisfaction of growing a timeless culinary herb right at home.