Salvia officinalis

Common sage (Salvia officinalis) — a hardy evergreen Mediterranean shrub with soft grey-green leaves and a warm, savoury flavour. Drought-tolerant and bee-friendly.
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  • Sage seeds (Salvia officinalis) – organic perennial herb Sage (Salvia officinalis) – organic perennial herb seeds from SeedsChoice
    Sage Seeds Organic Salvia Officinalis Perennial Herb
    €4,95

    Organic sage seeds for classic herb gardens sage seeds are a reliable choice for gardeners who want a traditional, aromatic culinary herb with a tidy, perennial habit. This organic herb seed variety is known for...
  • Sage seeds (Salvia officinalis) – perennial herb Sage (Salvia officinalis) – perennial herb seeds from SeedsChoice
    Sage Seeds Salvia Officinalis Perennial Herb
    €4,95

    Perennial sage seeds for classic herb gardens sage seeds are ideal for gardeners who want a reliable, aromatic perennial herb for borders, raised beds, and kitchen plots. This variety is also known as Salvia officinalis...
  • Sage Common seeds (Salvia officinalis) – perennial herb Sage Common (Salvia officinalis) – perennial herb seeds from SeedsChoice
    Sage Common Seeds Salvia Officinalis Perennial Herb
    €4,95

    Perennial herb for kitchen and garden beds sage seeds are a classic choice for gardeners who want a reliable, aromatic herb with an attractive ornamental look. This variety is the well-known common sage, Salvia officinalis,...
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Salvia officinalis — common sage

Salvia officinalis, the common or culinary sage, is a hardy evergreen Mediterranean shrub whose soft, grey-green leaves bring a warm, savoury depth to the kitchen. Aromatic, drought-tolerant and beautiful in the border, it is the botanical heart of our sage range within the culinary herb collection.

History & origin

Sage is native to the northern Mediterranean and has been esteemed since antiquity as both a kitchen herb and a symbol of health and longevity. The Romans treated it as a sacred herb, gathering it with ceremony, and the medieval saying “why should a man die who has sage in his garden?” captures the extraordinary regard in which it was once held.

That reputation is written into its name: Salvia comes from the Latin salvere, “to save” or “to be well” — a direct nod to the plant's long-standing association with wellbeing.

Botanical characteristics

Common sage forms a woody, rounded evergreen shrub 40–70 cm tall, with soft, felted, grey-green oval leaves and spikes of lilac-blue flowers in summer that bees love. The whole plant is highly aromatic, the leaves carrying a warm, slightly peppery, savoury flavour that is wonderful with rich foods. Tough and woody, it sits among our perennial herbs and our drought-tolerant herbs.

Growing Salvia officinalis from seed

Sow sage in spring in trays or modules, barely covering the seed, and keep it warm and bright; germination is usually reliable. Give young plants full sun and free-draining soil, and avoid rich, wet ground, which sage dislikes. Once established it is tough, drought-tolerant and long-lived, growing well in borders and large pots alike. Trim lightly after flowering to keep plants bushy. Our herb growing guide and herb sowing calendar cover timing and care in full.

Ready to grow sage? Explore the varieties or learn the basics first.

Related categories: Sage · Culinary Herbs · Perennial Herbs · Drought-Tolerant Herbs · All Herb Seeds

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What is Salvia officinalis?
It is the botanical name for common or culinary sage, a hardy evergreen Mediterranean shrub with aromatic, savoury grey-green leaves. How do I grow sage from seed?
Sow in spring in trays or modules, barely cover the seed and keep it warm and bright. Give young plants full sun and free-draining soil. What conditions does sage like?
Full sun and sharp drainage. It is drought-tolerant once established and dislikes rich, wet soil, thriving in borders and large pots. Is sage good for bees?
Yes. Its summer spikes of lilac-blue flowers are very attractive to bees and other pollinators.