When to Plant Sage
Beautiful grey-green foliage and a flavor that defines autumn cooking. Sage is perennial and gets more beautiful with age.
The Short Answer
How to Grow Sage
Sage is the Thanksgiving herb that earns its keep all year. The silvery-green foliage is ornamental in its own right, and the blue-purple flower spikes attract pollinators. Like rosemary, sage is Mediterranean in origin and despises wet feet. The first year's growth is modest; by year two, plants are lush and productive. Purple sage and tricolor sage add ornamental value but are less hardy than common garden sage. Harvest before flowering for the most concentrated flavor. Rubbed sage (dried and crumbled) is the form most people know; fresh sage has a more complex, less dusty flavor.
Starting Seeds Indoors
Begin sage seeds indoors 6 weeks before your average last frost date. Seeds need soil temperatures of at least 60°F to germinate, which typically takes 10-21 days. Provide 12 hours of light per day using a south-facing window or grow lights.
Transplanting
Move seedlings outside 1 weeks after your last frost date, once soil temperatures reach 60°F. Harden off seedlings for 7 days before transplanting by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions.
Direct Sowing
Sage can be direct sown 1 weeks after your last frost date. Plant seeds 0.125" deep, spaced 24" apart.
Growing Tips
Prune in spring to encourage bushy growth. Replace plants every 3-4 years when they get leggy. Excellent dried for winter cooking.
Companion Planting
Good companions:
Keep away from:
Sage Planting Dates by State
Click your state for sage planting dates specific to your location:
Last reviewed: March 29, 2026