Sage (Salvia) is a beautiful, easy-to-grow shrub plant with fragrant, evergreen leaves that are often velvety and downy and tolerate drought well. It also blooms with beautiful flowers from May to July. How can you plant and care for sage? And why is the herb so special?
Sage thrives not only in the garden, but also in pots. Different varieties of sage are cultivated for different purposes: some as herbs with aromatic, edible leaves and others as ornamentals with beautiful flowers. The most common type of sage used in cooking is common sage (Sage officinalis). It grows into a mass of fragrant, downy leaves of an olive green color and its flowers are not only beautiful to look at but also useful to animals, attracting pollinating insects and providing nectar. Read on to learn more about proper sage care!
The strong, peppery taste of the herb is versatile. Soups, spaghetti sauces, marinades, and many other dishes can benefit from chopped sage leaves. The botanical name Salvia comes from the Latin word “salvare,” meaning “to heal.” The therapeutic use of sage dates back thousands of years, and the herb is packed with minerals and benefits you might not expect to find on a spice rack.
Why is sage a miracle plant?
- Antioxidants
Antioxidants protect cells from free radicals from the environment that can cause cancer. Antioxidant vitamins A, C and E are found in trace concentrations in sage. Sage tea increases antioxidant defenses and reduces LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol). The plant also has the following effects:
- Anti-stress effect
- Sharpens mental abilities
- Improves oral health
- Relieves menopause symptoms
- May help control blood sugar levels
Winter care for sage plants
If you don't have room for a garden in your city apartment, you can still enjoy fragrant sage all year round by growing it in pots.
Although sage can tolerate low temperatures, it is best to bring it indoors in the fall before the weather turns cool. Protect the plant from cold drafts. Potted home sage plants do best when placed near a south or west-facing window. Grow lights are a good alternative to natural sunlight for indoor gardening.
Growing sage plants
Cuttings 7 to 10 cm long are taken from an established plant just below the root node, which is located on the opposite side of the petiole. Leave only two or three sets of leaves after removing any lower leaves or flower buds. Use a separate pot for each cutting, or plant them all in one large pot. Make sure the soil is consistently moist to encourage new root growth.
Which pot is suitable?
For optimal sage growth, you should use a clay pot. To start, choose a container that is at least 8 inches wide and 8 inches deep.As soon as the herbOnce it has outgrown its current container and taken root, you can repot it into a larger pot. To avoid waterlogging in the pot, you should make sure that it has enough drainage holes.
The right location for sage
Although sage can be grown in partial shade, it grows best in full sun and has the best scent. Therefore, ensure thatthat the plantGet at least 6 – 8 hours of sun every day. Keep the plant out of direct sunlight in the middle of the day, especially in summer if you live in a hot environment.
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The floor
Sage in containers should never be planted in regular garden soil. You can buy potting soil at garden centers or order it online, but you can also make it yourself. Loamy soil with good drainage is ideal for your sage plants. Mix 20 to 25 percent compost into the potting soil to improve it.
Pour
Be sure to water newly planted sage in the first spring and summer, especially in dry weather, to allow it to become established. Once the sage plants are established, you won't need to water them as often because they are drought tolerant.
Planting and caring for sage: How you should prune it
If a plant's flowers have faded or died, it's time to remove them. This promotes reblooming and helps the plants maintain their beauty. On older plants, hard pruning once a year encourages new shoots with fresh leaves, and removing the top part after flowering is a good way to stimulate this. If you want your sage plants to produce lots of new, bushy leaves and a healthy burst of growth in the spring, prune them back hard.
Also read:Dragon tree has yellow leaves: The most common causes and what you can do about yellow leaves!
