Is Sage a Perennial? How It Survives Winter and Regrows

It's easy to grow aromatic sage in pots or in the ground, but is sage a perennial that can survive the winter and regrow in the spring? If conditions are right, the answer is yes. Here's what you should know about growing sage as a perennial or annual, plus how to keep this herb going over winter in the garden or outdoors.

Perennial Sage vs. Annual Sage

Some people think of sage as an annual herb like basil, which doesn't tolerate freezing temperatures. While you can certainly grow sage as an annual, especially in container gardens, it's actually a perennial. This Mediterranean herb from the genus Salvia is a relatively short-lived woody shrub. Sage grows well in areas with winter frost (as long as the soil is well-drained), but it often suffers from fungal problems in warmer climates, so it's grown as an annual there.

Medicinal sage is the common sage we use in the kitchen, but many other highly aromatic species, such as pineapple sage (Salvia elegans) and native white sage (Salvia apiana), are also perennials. Not all plants tolerate winter temperatures the same, so make sure the sage you choose can handle the temperatures in your location before choosing it as a perennial.

Growing Sage as a Perennial

Sage plants grown as perennials can reach 2 to 3 feet in height, providing a bounty of aromatic leaves for fresh or dried use. The plants also have an ornamental quality that can enhance garden beds and containers. Growing sage that will last for many years requires the right growing conditions.

This herb prefers a spot in full sun, and whether grown in the ground or in a container, good drainage is essential. Sage thrives in less fertile, but well-drained, dry soil, so a container with poor or slow drainage is a sure way to kill it. Well-drained soil and good air circulation go a long way in preventing problems.

Sage is drought-tolerant and hardy, especially when grown in garden beds. However, it's possible to neglect container-grown sage, which can wilt if it becomes too dry. While it makes a great container companion for rosemary, it will show signs of moisture stress before the rosemary does. Don't worry; by watering your sage frequently, your rosemary plant will have no trouble growing in the same container.

Tip:

Although sage grown as an annual isn't usually woody, sage is a semi-woody shrub that begins to become dense, woody, and tough over the years. Sage grown as a perennial benefits from a heavy annual pruning, so cut it back a few inches to the ground in spring to encourage plenty of lush new growth.

Winter Sage

Learning how to grow sage in the winter can save you a few dollars each spring because you won't need to buy new sage plants. How you grow sage in the winter depends on your climate and whether you're growing it in a garden bed or in a container.

Sage in Garden Beds

Sage is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 8, which means you can expect the plant to survive all winter in the ground in these areas. Although the tops of the plants may survive in warmer zones, sage in colder zones will die back and return to the ground. Apply a layer of straw mulch (not anything that retains a lot of moisture) after the ground freezes to protect the roots from freezing and thawing in the winter.

When the snow melts in the spring or the nights begin to warm, remove the straw again. Sage often doesn't emerge until after the last spring frost, but the roots still live underground. Once new shoots appear in the spring, cut back any stems left over from the previous season to make room for new growth.

Sage in Containers

If you're growing sage in a container, you'll likely need to bring it indoors for the winter, as freezing temperatures are harsh on the limited soil volume of potted plants. Using these cuttings, cut your potted sage in the kitchen and provide it with a sunny spot indoors. It's also best to place your potted sage under grow lights. Water when the top 2 inches feel dry, but don't wait for the soil to return to the rim of the container.

Set out yellow sticky traps to help eliminate fungus spores, thrips, and other insects that plague indoor plants. When you first bring your plant home, you may want to keep it separate from the rest of your houseplants for a week or two to ensure it's pest-free.