Common sage

Short description of the species

Botanical name

Common sage

Latin name

Salvia officinalis

Family

Lamiaceae

Origin

From the Mediterranean and Middle East regions

Crop classification

Spicy and aromatic plant

Exposure

light-loving

Frost resistance

frost resistant, perrenial

Optimal growth temperature

15 – 25°C

Water requirements

Not too frequent irrigation

Soil requirements

Sandy-loam soil

Soil pH

6,5 - 8,0

Edible part

Folium salviae (sage leaf), Herba salviae (sage herb)

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Interesting

The name Salvia comes from the Latin word "salvare," meaning "to save" or "to heal," and refers to sage's traditional use as a medicinal herb.

accessibility

Usage

It is suitable for fatty and starchy dishes (e.g. duck, pork, poultry, beans, eggplant, tomato sauces, soups), and also for seasoning fish, cheeses, herb butters or spice blends.

Inclusion in the crop rotation and fertilization requirements 

Sage is a perennial, winters as an evergreen shrub. 

Track: I. (can tolerate well-matured MH), II. 

Suitable preceding crops: crops that leave the soil clean of perennial weeds, suitable are e.g. fertilized root crops, legumes, cereals, brassica species, root vegetables 

Fertilization: Prefers organic fertilizers, compost or mature manure. 

Varieties: Salvia officinalis has many varieties that differ in color, shape and size, taste as well as other properties. 

Cultivation techniques 

Sage is propagated from seed, by producing seedlings, or vegetatively (by cuttings or dividing older clumps). 

Cultivation techniques – from seedlings

Harvesting - regular pruning promotes dense and healthy growth, cut just above the soil to obtain young shoots without inflorescences Use: suitable for fatty and starchy dishes (e.g. duck, pork, poultry, beans, eggplant, tomato sauces, soups), also for flavoring fish, cheese, herb butters or spice mixtures 

Effect on human health

Constituents: essential oils, tannins, phenolic acids, bitters and others 

Phytotherapeutic groups: stomachic, spasmolytic, carminative, disinfectant, cholagogue, corrigendum 

Diseases and pests

Salvia officinalis is a relatively resistant plant, it can be affected by pests such as aphids, mites and whiteflies, or diseases such as powdery mildew and root rot (caused by soil fungi such as Phytophthora spp. or Pythium spp.).