Sage is a simply charming plant that is native to parts of Europe with a temperate climate. Today, it has become one of the most commonly used herbs for medicinal purposes due to its multiple properties which have been adored and studied for centuries. It is especially noted for its anti-inflammatory effects and it's excellent for patients with diabetes or who suffer from digestive problems. If you want to take advantage of its magical benefits and you will cultivate it yourself, pay attention to this oneHOWTO article in which we explain how to care for sage in great detail.
First and foremost, before detailing the care the beautiful sage plant needs, you have to pay attention to how to ensure this plant grows properly. Fundamentally, it is a plant that can be grown from seeds or seedlings outdoors or in pots. In any case, you should remember that sage requires neutral or slightly calcareous soils and sandy ones that ensure optimal drainage and good air circulation. Avoid those acidic and heavy soils.
If you go to plant sage in pots, it is important that containers are quite spacious so the roots grow well. It's advisable that the pots are at least 25 or 30 cm wide and that the cuttings are placed in rows with a separation between them of about 20 cm. The soil that you use should be well prepared for the plant to receive potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus. These are needed so it can grow strong.
As for the care of sage, it is first helpful to know that the ideal temperature for growth should be above 15 degrees Celsius. It is a plant that requires a warm environment and good lighting, although direct sunlight is not recommended. It is best that you set your sage in a lighted area with some shadow and if you have to place it inside the house, look for a window or balcony through which a fair bit of light pours in. Of course, sage also needs good air circulation.
Watering for your sage must be moderate, making sure that there are no puddles on the ground or in the pot, as these are one of the main causes of death for these plants. Too much water may even cause the putrefaction of its roots. It is recommended that you keep the soil moist while the plant is still small, but once it grows the watering should be limited to only when you notice that the soil or substrate is completely dry.
The fertilisation of sage is another interesting aspect to consider in order to grow healthy plants and to be able to give their leaves a culinary or medicinal purpose as you want. It's typically used either as a liquid fertilizer diluted in water once every 15 days in spring and summer. And on the contrary in autumn and winter, the application of fertilizer should be discontinued. The most favourable thing for sage is manure. It is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and it contains other components such as magnesium, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, boron and molybdenum.
Your sage plant may be cruelly attacked by different types of insects such as whiteflies, mites, caterpillars and slugs. If it is usually grown indoors, simply spray it with a hose long enough until the water drags these bugs away to their deaths. When this does not work, you should use a sponge or swab to kill the insect invaders. Anyway, we invite you to consult the following items that can be of help when caring for sage:
- Remedies against whitefly
- Remedies against slugs and snails
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