Entire healthy mature sage plant in a real garden bed, showing growth habit and scale.Primary identification image. 45–75 cm tall, 45–60 cm wide at maturity.
Growth stages are ordered chronologically; timing varies with cultivar, temperature, light and care.
Planting calendar for Portland, Oregon
Start indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost; transplant from last frost to 3 weeks after; 75–90 days to maturity from planting. Windows are derived from the region's average frost dates (last Apr 5, first Nov 5) and are estimates until you confirm your own dates in the calendar.
Plant
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
SageSalvia officinalis
Text version of the planting timeline
Plant
Start indoors
Direct sow
Autumn sow
Transplant
Tend
Harvest
Sage
Feb 8–Feb 22 (estimate)
—
—
Apr 5–Apr 26 (estimate)
Apr 26–Jun 19 (estimate)
Jun 19–Feb 20 (estimate)
Start indoorsDirect sowTransplantTendHarvestStriped bars are regional estimates; solid bars are dates you confirmed.
Start seeds indoors: Feb 8 – Feb 22
Transplant outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 26
Tend and monitor: Apr 26 – Jun 19
Harvest: Jun 19 – Feb 20
Spacing & support
In-row 45–60 cm; rows 60–60 cm. Planner footprint: 2 cells of 30 cm.
Side-profile diagram of mature sage: canopy 45–75 cm tall, 45–60 cm wide, medium root zone, support and harvest-access envelope.
Soil & water
Soil
Well-drained, gritty soil
pH
6–7
Fertility
low
Water
Water rarely; never waterlogged.
Frost
hardy; tolerates frost
Support & training
No support structure needed.
Sage mid-season before harvest, showing branching, vining, rosette or upright habit and space occupied.
Harvest signs
Leaves any time; best before flowering
Light picking the first year
Sage at harvest readiness, showing the visual cues: leaves any time; best before flowering; light picking the first year.
Sage is planted in spring from plants or cuttings, grows into a 45–75 cm shrub and lives 4–6 years before becoming woody. It needs sharp drainage and little water. Trim after flowering and never cut into bare wood.
Sage planting material (crown, set, clove, slip or tuber) beside a ruler or coin for scale.
Sage seedling at cotyledon and first-true-leaf stage, in soil, distinguishable from common weeds.
Sage mid-season before harvest, showing branching, vining, rosette or upright habit and space occupied.
Sage appears in traditional charts as a deterrent of cabbage moths and carrot fly; the review found no controlled evidence for either. Its purple-blue flowers are visited by bees and are edible. Water conflict with thirsty crops is the practical planning issue.
Two or more mature sage plants with a tape measure showing in-row spacing (45–60 cm).
Sage flower detail or bolting stage.
Immature leaves of sage developing on the plant.
Edible parts and safety
Edible: leaves, flowers.
Hands or tool harvesting sage correctly (cut, pull, twist or pick) without damaging the plant.
Pests and diseases
Common pests: capsid bugs, slugs on young plants. Common diseases: root rot, powdery mildew. These vary by region; a photograph is an example, not a diagnosis. See the pest and disease guides and your local extension service.
capsid bugs on sage, with a wider damage-context view.
Timeline
Season timeline for sage: sowing, transplanting, flowering, harvest and bed occupancy aligned to frost dates.Text alternative: Start seeds indoors Feb 8–Feb 22; Transplant outdoors Apr 5–Apr 26; Tend and monitor Apr 26–Jun 19; Harvest Jun 19–Feb 20.
We synthesize peer-reviewed research, university extension publications, and trusted horticulture resources. Our evidence levels help you understand how strong the science is behind the guidance.
Evidence tiers
Supported evidenceConsistent results from multiple robust studies
Traditional claimHistorical use reported, limited scientific support
Context dependentMixed or variable results across conditions
No verified relationshipNo reliable evidence identified
Spacing & support
Soil & water
Support & training
Harvest signs
Common problems
Container growing
Companion overview
Crop rotation
Sources, reviewer & update
