Common sage Salvia officinalis
Common sage (Salvia officinalis) is an evergreen perennial herb in the Lamiaceae family. It grows 40–70 cm (16–28 in) tall and 50–90 cm (20–35 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -15 °C (5 °F). Space plants about 60 cm (24 in) apart.
Plan Common sage in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Common sage at a glance
| Type | Perennial herb, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Mature height | 40–70 cm (16–28 in) |
| Mature spread | 50–90 cm (20–35 in) |
| Spacing | 60 cm (24 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Cold hardiness | About -15 °C (5 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 7) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 35 °C (95 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: leaves |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇮🇱 Israel |
Is Common sage toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Culinary sage is non-toxic to people and pets in food amounts.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Common sage
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Common sage in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden (4 plants)
Questions about Common sage
- How far apart should I plant Common sage?
- About 60 cm (24 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 50–90 cm (20–35 in).
- Does Common sage need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Common sage need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Common sage?
- It tolerates about -15 °C (5 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 7.
- When does Common sage flower?
- From about May for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Common sage poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Culinary sage is non-toxic to people and pets in food amounts.
- What grows well with Common sage?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Common sage. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- Aromatic oily foliage is flammable when dry.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Basil Ocimum basilicum
- Rosemary Salvia rosmarinus
- Thyme Thymus vulgaris
- Mint Mentha spicata
- English lavender Lavandula angustifolia
- Creeping thyme Thymus serpyllum
- Oregano Origanum vulgare
- Thai basil Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora