Kitchen Sage (Salvia officinalis)

How much light does a Kitchen Sage need?

Full sun, meaning 6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day, is the preferred exposure for kitchen sage. Part shade is also listed among its accepted conditions. Choose full sun where you can, and treat part shade as the second choice. These are the two outdoor light levels recorded for this plant.

• Light: Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)¹

How often to water a Kitchen Sage

Dry to medium soil moisture suits kitchen sage. It prefers well-drained soil, and the soils it prefers mimic those of its Mediterranean homeland. Good drainage is listed for it as well. The plants are described as very tolerant of drought. Medium is the wettest end of its listed moisture range.

• Water: Dry to medium^1,1,2

Best soil for a Kitchen Sage

Well-drained soil that is occasionally dry is the listed match for kitchen sage. Good drainage is the feature to look for in a planting site. Soil moisture from medium to dry is preferred. The recorded pH range is neutral, from 6.0 to 8.0. The plants are described as very tolerant of poor soil as well as drought. Drainage and pH are the two soil conditions recorded for this plant.

• Soil drainage: Well drained and occasionally dry¹
• Soil pH: pH 6–8¹

Hardiness and temperature

Zones 4a to 8b are listed for kitchen sage. The full list runs through 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a and 8b. Zones 4a and 8b are the cold and warm limits of that list. Kitchen sage is an evergreen shrub. Its native range is recorded as Albania, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and Yugoslavia.

• Hardiness: Zones 4a–8b¹

Fertilizing a Kitchen Sage

Feeding is not needed for kitchen sage, and the recorded fertilizer frequency is none. The plants are very tolerant of drought and poor soil, so little is required regarding irrigation and fertility. Irrigation and fertility both ask little of you. Poor soil is among the conditions it tolerates.

• Fertilizer: Not needed²

Pruning a Kitchen Sage

The pruning on record for kitchen sage is to remove dead growth only. The guidance is to cut the plant back in spring, taking out any dead portions. Nothing beyond dead growth is called for in that entry. Maintenance effort is rated medium. Growth rate is moderate.

• Pruning: Remove dead growth only³

How to plant a Kitchen Sage

Choose a planting site in USDA zones 4a through 8b. Space plants with room for a mature spread of 2–3 ft (0.61–0.91 m). Leave room above for a height of 1–2 ft (0.3–0.6 m). Pick a spot in full sun with well-drained soil. A soil pH of 6 to 8 suits it.

• Hardiness: Zones 4a–8b¹

Winter care

Kitchen sage is described as an evergreen shrub. It is listed for zones 4a through 8b, from the colder to the warmer end of that span. Dead portions are cut back in spring, and that is the only pruning listed. Good drainage is listed for it, along with soil that is occasionally dry. Feeding is not needed.

• Hardiness: Zones 4a–8b¹

How to propagate a Kitchen Sage

Three propagation methods are listed for kitchen sage: layering, seed and stem cuttings. Layering is one route, seed is another, and stem cuttings are the third. Each is recorded as a way to make new plants of this species. Plan for each new plant to reach 1–2 ft (0.3–0.6 m) tall and 2–3 ft (0.61–0.91 m) wide.

• Propagation: Layering, seed and stem cuttings¹

Common problems

Leaf hoppers, slugs, spider mites and spittlebugs are the pests listed as possible on kitchen sage. Root rot, powdery mildew and verticillium wilt can occur as diseases. Four pests and three diseases are on that list. Deer resistance is reported for this plant.

• Common pests: leaf hoppers, slugs, spider mites and spittlebugs¹
• Common diseases: root rot, powdery mildew and verticillium wilt¹

Questions and answers

Is kitchen sage toxic to cats or dogs?

It is listed as non-toxic to cats and non-toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. NC State Extension also lists it as non-toxic for each animal.

How much sun does kitchen sage need?

Full sun is preferred, which means 6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day. Part shade is also listed as suitable. Choose full sun where you can.

Does kitchen sage need fertilizer?

Fertilizer is listed as not needed. The plants are very tolerant of drought and poor soil, so little is required regarding irrigation and fertility. Dry to medium soil that drains well is preferred.