Sage Care

Salvia spp.

A very drought-tolerant, aromatic Mediterranean shrub that likes full sun and well-drained, poor soil. It is used for culinary and medicinal purposes; regular pruning is important to keep the plant bushy and prevent it from becoming woody.

Hardy · -20 °C / -4 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January

Pruning: Not done. Wait for spring for hard pruning.
General care: The plant's evergreen structure provides texture in winter too.
Pests & diseases: Against the risk of root rot, make sure the soil is free-draining.

February

Pruning: Toward the end of the month, just before new growth starts, shape and rejuvenate the plant by pruning one-third. Take care not to cut back to old, woody branches.
General care: For new plantings, improve drainage by adding sand or gravel to the soil.
Frost risk: Protect newly planted seedlings from severe frosts.

March

Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
Pruning: Prune just before the shoots break. Because flowers form on this year's new shoots, hard pruning increases flowering. When you cut old woody stems, green shoot points must remain; very old wood does not produce new shoots. After flowering, encourage a second flowering by removing spent clusters.
General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.

April

Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
Pruning: Flowering begins; do not prune.
Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
Pests & diseases: Look for aphids (green or black clusters of small insects) on fresh shoot tips. If there are only a few, you can knock them off with a strong jet of water.

May

Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
Pruning: Flowering continues.
Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
General care: Suitable period for planting and transplanting. Flowering begins. Drainage is critical for this plant. In heavy, water-retaining soil, plant on a mound or bed raised 20-30 cm; the root collar should remain above the surrounding soil level.
Pests & diseases: If you see black spots with yellow halos on the leaves (black spot), collect the diseased leaves and remove them from the garden; the disease overwinters in fallen leaves. Check the fresh shoot tips for aphids (small clusters of green or black insects). If there are few, you can knock them off with a strong spray of water.

June

Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
Pruning: After the main flowering wave ends, tidy the plant by cutting off spent flower stalks. This can sometimes encourage a second flush of blooms.
Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
General care: Flowering continues.
Pests & diseases: If you see black spots with yellow halos on the leaves (black spot), collect the diseased leaves and remove them from the garden; the disease overwinters in fallen leaves. Check the undersides of the leaves for whitefly clusters. A yellow sticky trap is the easiest way to monitor density. Check the fresh shoot tips for aphids (small clusters of green or black insects). If there are few, you can knock them off with a strong spray of water. Look for white, powdery spots on the leaves (powdery mildew). Thinning dense branches to increase airflow slows its spread.

July

Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. Water so that the soil is wetted to a depth of 10-15 cm from the surface.
Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
General care: Flowering continues.
Pests & diseases: Check the undersides of the leaves for whitefly clusters. A yellow sticky trap is the easiest way to monitor density. Look for white, powdery spots on the leaves (powdery mildew). Thinning dense branches to increase airflow slows its spread.

August

Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. Water so that the soil is wetted to a depth of 10-15 cm from the surface.
Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
General care: Flowering continues.
Pests & diseases: Check the undersides of the leaves for whitefly clusters. A yellow sticky trap is the easiest way to monitor density. Look for white, powdery spots on the leaves (powdery mildew). Thinning dense branches to increase airflow slows its spread.

September

Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month. Water newly planted specimens more often than established plants during the first year; the root system is still shallow.
Pruning: A light pruning can be done to tidy plants that look untidy.
Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
General care: Suitable period for planting and transplanting. Flowering continues.
Pests & diseases: If you see black spots with yellow halos on the leaves (black spot), collect the diseased leaves and remove them from the garden; the disease overwinters in fallen leaves. Look for white, powdery spots on the leaves (powdery mildew). Thinning dense branches to increase airflow slows its spread.

October

Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
Pruning: Avoid heavy pruning.
General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.

November

General care: In winter rains, make sure water does not pool in the root zone; for this plant, drainage is more critical than irrigation.
Frost risk: Protect newly planted seedlings during the first winter.

December

Pests & diseases: Make sure drainage is good against the risk of root rot.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

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