🌿 When to Plant Sage

🌿 Herb
Cool Season

Perennial in zones 5-8; prune woody stems in spring

📅 Planting Calendar by USDA Zone

Select your zone to highlight your exact planting dates. Dates are calculated from each zone's average frost dates.

Find my zone
Zone Last Frost Start Indoors Transplant Direct Sow
Zone 2A May 30 Apr 4 May 30 May 30
Zone 3B May 15 Mar 20 May 15 May 15
Zone 4A May 8 Mar 13 May 8 May 8
Zone 4B May 1 Mar 6 May 1 May 1
Zone 5A Apr 25 Feb 28 Apr 25 Apr 25
Zone 5B Apr 18 Feb 21 Apr 18 Apr 18
Zone 6A Apr 21 Feb 24 Apr 21 Apr 21
Zone 6B Apr 10 Feb 13 Apr 10 Apr 10
Zone 7A Apr 5 Feb 8 Apr 5 Apr 5
Zone 7B Mar 28 Jan 31 Mar 28 Mar 28
Zone 8A Mar 20 Jan 23 Mar 20 Mar 20
Zone 8B Mar 12 Jan 15 Mar 12 Mar 12
Zone 9A Feb 28 Jan 3 Feb 28 Feb 28
Zone 9B Feb 15 Dec 21 Feb 15 Feb 15
Zone 10A Feb 1 Dec 7 Feb 1 Feb 1
Zone 10B Jan 15 Nov 20 Jan 15 Jan 15
Zone 11A Jan 1 Nov 6 Jan 1 Jan 1

Sage is a beautiful, aromatic perennial herb essential for poultry seasoning and fall cooking.

Top Growing Tips

  • Perennial in zones 5-8 — may struggle in hot, humid climates
  • Prune woody growth in spring to encourage new soft shoots
  • Don’t overwater — sage prefers lean, dry conditions
  • Purple and tricolor varieties are ornamental as well as culinary
  • Replace plants every 3-4 years as they become too woody

Companion Planting

Good companions: rosemary, cabbage, carrots, strawberries

Avoid planting near: cucumbers

Harvest Timeline

Harvest leaves lightly in the first year; freely thereafter