🌿 How to Grow Sage from Seeds
Common Names:

• Hindi: सेज पत्ता / सफ़ेद तुलसी

• Tamil: சேஜ் இலை

• Telugu: సేజ్ ఆకులు

• Malayalam: സെജ് ഇലകൾ

• Kannada: ಸೇಜ್ ಎಲೆಗಳು

• English: Sage

• Botanical name: Salvia officinalis

1. Choose the Right Season

• Warm-season perennial herb

• Best time to sow:

  • October to March in India

  • Spring in cooler climates

• Ideal temperature: 18°C to 27°C

• Sensitive to frost in early growth stages

2. Prepare the Soil

• Soil Type: Well-draining, loamy or sandy soil

• pH Level: Slightly alkaline to neutral (6.5–7.5)

• Mix in compost and a little sand for better drainage

• Avoid soggy, water-retaining soils

3. Sow the Seeds

• Depth: ¼ inch (0.6 cm) deep

• Spacing:

  • Garden: 12–18 inches between plants, 18 inches between rows

  • Containers: Use 8–10 inch deep pots, sow 2–3 seeds per pot

• Seeds are slow to germinate — keep moist but not wet

• Optional: Soak seeds for 4–6 hours to encourage germination

4. Watering

• Water lightly until germination

• Once established, water once or twice a week

• Sage is drought-tolerant — prefers dry conditions

• Always allow topsoil to dry before watering

5. Germination

• Germinates in 10–21 days

• Needs warm temperatures and steady moisture

• Thin seedlings after 3 weeks, keeping strongest ones

6. Sunlight & Temperature

• Needs 6–8 hours of full sun daily

• Thrives in warm, dry climates

• Protect from frost and excessive humidity

7. Fertilization

• Fertilize lightly once a month with organic compost

• Avoid over-fertilizing — reduces essential oil content

• Sage does best in lean, slightly dry soil

8. Pest Control

• Common pests: Spider mites, aphids, fungal leaf spots

• Use neem oil + mild soap spray every 10–15 days if pests appear

• Prune regularly to improve airflow

• Avoid overhead watering

9. Harvesting

• Ready for harvest in 75–90 days

• Snip leaves as needed — avoid cutting more than ⅓ of plant at once

• Most flavorful before flowering

• Harvest in the morning for best aroma

10. Regrow Tip

• Regrows well after cutting if base stems are intact

• Can be propagated from softwood stem cuttings

• Save seeds from dried flower heads for next season

• Sage is a perennial in mild climates — can live for several years

🥗 Health Benefits of Sage

• Supports memory and brain function

• Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties

• Aids digestion and soothes sore throat

• Rich in antioxidants, vitamin K, and calcium