How to Grow Sage: A Flavorful Guide to Planting, Harvesting, and Using This Classic Culinary Herb

My sage plant has started showing signs of small red dots on the leaves as of late, and I am not sure if I am dealing with a fungus that needs sprayed or possibibly a disease. I would appreciate any advice on this matter. I am located in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Thank you. TW

Red blisters on the undersides of leaves (sometimes yellow or white corresponding spots appear on upper side of leaves) can mean rust fungus. In this case, remove the infected leaves and avoid getting the leaves wet. Provide good air circulation. 

 

Small reddish brown dots on the tops of leaves might mean other fungal diseases, such as alternaria leaf spot, or perhaps insect feeding injury. For best advice, we'd recommend that you take a sample to a horticulturist in a nearby garden center, or to your county's Cooperative Extension. For contact information, see:

 

http://www.almanac.com/content/cooperative-extension-services

I live in MA and bought 2 varieties of small pots of sage in late July this year. Is it too late to plant them now in late August? Should I keep them indoors for the winter and then plant in the summer?

I tend to transplant as many perennials as I can in the fall. If you plant them in August, you will just need to make sure they have enough water. My rule of thumb is to gage timing of transplanting based on the average time of first frost and when the soil in that area freezes. The microsystems in the yard are important. Transplanting a month before average frost allows the plant to get started on establishing. This can be extended if it's in a warmer area of the yard.

It's better to transplant sage in the early spring.

My sage is about two years old now. It is woody and lanky, but there are still quite a few leaves on it and a lot of new growth. The problem is is that the leaves continue to turn blue/black or yellow. It loses a lot of leaves because of this. I live in North Carolina and the plant is in a smart pot with a mixture of coco husks and perlite. My garden is a hydroponic garden. I have tried leaving it in full sun, bringing it to a shady area, watering it more, letting it dry out for a few days before watering.... I feel like I have tried everything but it is still losing leaves. I am new to gardening so I never pruned it drastically...I didn't know if I needed to do that. Is there anything I am missing, or something I can do to save this plant? I love Sage and love cocking with it so would hate to lose it. I also tried to take a cutting of it to grow another plant, but it failed, I tried to grow the cutting in water as well as the coco/perlite mixture but neither method worked. How can I save this plant? How can I grow a cutting of it as well? What exactly do I cut off the plant and where is the best place to cut for the cutting too? Thanx u all for your help!!!

Sage needs about 12 hours of light, so if you don't have that, provide full-spectrum artificial lighting to compensate. If you do have a light, it could be that it is too close, causing leaves to blacken--try raising it a bit.

 

Check the air temperature and make sure the room isn't too hot or cool (day about 75-80, night about 60-80).

 

Yellow leaves are often due to a nutrient deficiency. Check that the pH is appropriate for sage (about 5.5 to 6.5) and adjust as necessary, so the roots are getting enough nutrients from the medium.

 

Sage plants are usually replaced after about 4 to 5 years, when they become too woody. Meanwhile, you can prune it back in spring, by removing 1/3 of the top growth. During early to mid summer, prune lightly back, just above a leaf or bud, or just above where a stem branches. Make your cuts at an angle. Remove any dead or diseased branches.

 

To take a cutting, choose a healthy stem with several leaves. Cut just below the third set of leaves from the top. The area where the leaves come out is called a node (so you cut just below the third node). The node is where roots are more likely to develop. Remove the top (apical) bud, where new leaves emerge. Remove the bottom leaves at the third node. Remove all other leaves along the shoot except two to four at the top. Place the cutting in rooting hormone, shake off the excess, then place the cutting in rooting medium, making sure the bottom node is buried about 1/2 inch. Place in suitable light, temperature etc., and keep moist. The shoot should grow roots in a few weeks.

My sage is out doors and gets full sun ☀ it's on a balcony south facing. Still it has lost its leaves.

I have inherited an herb garden with a very leggy, woody stalked sage plant. New growth on the ends of all stems & flowers just now blooming. To harvest the sage do I cut down to where the green growth begins or further down the woody stalks?

Do not prune it too severely or it won't come back. Prune back by about 1/3 growth. Keep in mind that a sage plant tends to get lanky as it gets old (3 to 5 years). It's fairly easy to grow sage from seed so you may need to start new plants soon.