SAGE

Needs Some Love

Black sun icon with rays on a white background

Full Sunlight

Keep Soil Dry

Pet Safe

FULL SUNLIGHT

Built for brightness and heat!

Sage can typically tolerate intense heat as long as it is holding onto some water and has good drainage. If you notice sage leaves drooping or crisping, give it some shade and water.

6+ HOURS OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT DAILY

In lower light conditions, sage can become leggy, pale, and lose its earthy flavor.

Cartoon sun character holding a flower and a potted plant with a cloud in the background.

FIND YOUR LIGHT

Take a moment to note which direction the windows face in your space. Then tap around the room below to see how the light hits throughout the day.

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SOUTH-FACING WINDOW

⊹ Highest amount of sunlight ⊹
⊹ Consistent light all day ⊹
⊹ Perfect for "full sun" plants ⊹

EAST-FACING WINDOW

⊹ Soft morning sunlight ⊹
⊹ Avoids harsh afternoon rays ⊹
⊹ Perfect for low to indirect light plants ⊹
⚠︎ May not be bright enough for "full sun" plants

WEST-FACING WINDOW

⊹ Brightest in the afternoon ⊹
⊹ Warm, golden hour glow ⊹
⊹ Great for indirect-sun lovers ⊹

⚠︎ Can overheat sensitive plants

NORTH-FACING WINDOW

⊹ No direct sunlight ⊹
⊹ Avoids harsh afternoon rays ⊹
⊹ Perfect for shade-tolerant plants ⊹

⚠︎ Can be too dim for most houseplants. If this is your only light source, consider using a grow light for your sun-loving plants!

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KEEP SOIL DRY

Overwatering sage is a common issue and should be avoided. It is the quickest way to develop root rot and other issues. Make sure its pot has good drainage and to water deeply, but only when the soil is completely dry!

LOW HUMIDITY

Indoor humidity should be fine as long as it is not crowded with other plants. Too much moisture in the air or around the base of the plant can lead to fungal issues.

Cartoon water droplet character with a watering can and flowers on a white background

SOIL

SAGE DIGS A DRY AND FAST-DRAINING MIX

When choosing a potting mix for this herb, look for mixes that include:

Looks like tiny white popcorn bits mixed into the soil. Improves drainage and prevents waterlogging.

Small white pot filled with soil and small white stones on a wooden surface

Looks like gritty and chunky beach sand. Like perlite, it improves drainage and prevents waterlogging.

Cartoon pot with face holding a trowel, surrounded by plants and flowers on a white background

HARVESTING

ALWAYS USE CLEAN SCISSORS OR HANDS

You can start harvesting sage when it is about 6 to 8 inches tall and has a solid base of mature leaves.

Try to harvest every 1 to 2 weeks or as needed to prevent it from getting too woody.

Light, consistent pruning also delays flowering and keeps its leaves flavorful. If left untrimmed, sage can become tall and tough.

IDENTIFY THE PRUNING SPOT

Snip off stems or individual leaves, ideally from the top third of the plant. Avoid cutting from the hardened, woody stem as it may not regrow from that point.

Cutting the soft, fresh leaves not only gives you peak flavor, it also encourages the herb to keep growing!

REMOVE FLOWER BUDS

Snip off flower buds as they appear or try to harvest leaves before sage begins to flower (bolt). Once it has flowered, the herb may become less aromatic.

Feel free to keep it flowering for pollinators or to collect seeds!

COMMON ISSUES

YELLOWING

A sign of overwatering or poor drainage of the pot. Soil that remains soggy can lead to root rot. Remember, sage prefers drier conditions.

Remove affected leaves. Dry out soil completely (1-5 days). Adjust your watering schedule for this plant.

If problem persists and/or you suspect root rot: remove from pot, trim away dead mushy roots, and repot in fresh soil.

WOODY GROWTH

Likely due to not enough harvesting/pruning.

Make sure to trim lightly and regularly (every 2 weeks or so).

Keep in mind, as sage matures, it naturally becomes woodier. Continue to cut back on the green growth only, not into the wood base.

WEAK GROWTH

A definite sign of not enough sunlight.

If you notice rosemary leaf growth has started to slow or if it starts looking leggy and weak, it's time to move it to a brighter spot.

SPOTS ON LEAVES

Likely a sign of a fungal problem due to high humidity or low airfow.

Remove affected leaves.

Try to keep sage dry and out of direct moisture. Only water at the base of the plant, ensuring its leaves do not get wet.

Provide better air circulation by not crowding it with other plants. Keep it in a cool, dry area.

PESTS