Sage is one of my very favorite culinary herbs, and also happens to be wonderfully easy to propagate! During our recent move, one of the things I knew I would miss most was the prolific patches of herbs in our old front yard garden. So to get a jump start at the new homestead, I took several cuttings from each of our healthiest sage plants: the trusty green sage, beautiful bushy purple sage, and stunning tri-color sage. Just a few weeks later, we had multiple healthy little seedlings with new roots – all ready to pot up or plant out!
Read along to learn how to propagate sage cuttings in water or soil. Both methods work, though I personally find the water method has a slightly higher success rate (especially without using rooting hormone). Plus, then you get to watch and observe the roots grow in water – which is half the fun! Hint hint: You can follow this same process to propagate many other herbs too, like basil, rosemary, and other varieties of sage.
Propagation is the process of creating new plants from existing ones… and who doesn’t love free plants?! Growing new sage from cuttings is a great way to expand your personal herb garden, create more to give to family and friends, or start your very first plants using sage cuttings from a friend or the grocery store. Then you can use fresh homegrown sage in delicious recipes like this butternut squash sage soup, whole wheat herb sourdough crackers, garlic and herb roasted Brussels sprouts, or these smashed and roasted herb potatoes!
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Autumn sage is a gorgeous addition to any garden with its bright fall flowers in shades of red, purple, and pink. This popular perennial is also very easy to propagate so you can share it with friends or fill your garden beds. Learning the proper techniques for propagating autumn sage will ensure success.
When to Take Autumn Sage Cuttings
The key to propagating autumn sage is timing. You’ll want to take cuttings in late summer or early fall when the plants have finished blooming. This is when the stems are semi-hardened but still have active growth. It’s best to select vigorous, healthy stems that don’t have any flowers on them.
Cuttings taken in late summer/early fall will develop a good root system before winter Taking cuttings too late in fall runs the risk of the cuttings not rooting before the ground freezes You want about 6-8 weeks of warm weather after taking cuttings for the best chance of success,
Selecting the Right Autumn Sage Cuttings
When selecting stems for cuttings, look for non-flowering shoots that are semi-hardened. The stems should snap cleanly when bent versus bending and staying intact. Avoid taking cuttings from stems that are thin and weak.
The ideal cutting size is 3-4 inches long This gives enough stem length for the cutting to form roots while also concentrating the plant’s energy on root growth versus upper foliage growth.
Always use a clean, sharp pair of pruning shears or garden snips when taking cuttings. Cut right below a set of leaves or nodes. Make a straight horizontal cut rather than an angled cut.
Preparing Autumn Sage Cuttings
After cutting, you’ll want to prepare the cuttings for planting by removing all but the top two sets of leaves. Keeping two leaves helps provide food for the cutting while it forms roots. Removing the lower leaves prevents the cutting from losing moisture through transpiration.
You can dip the end of the cutting in rooting hormone powder to encourage faster root growth, but this is optional. Autumn sage roots fairly easily without rooting hormone.
Before sticking cuttings, fill small pots with a loose, well-draining potting mix amended with sand or perlite. Pre-moisten the soil before inserting cuttings.
Planting Autumn Sage Cuttings
To plant the cuttings, use a pencil or dibble stick to make holes in the potting mix. Insert cuttings about 2-3 inches deep, leaving 2-3 sets of leaves above the soil line. Gently firm the soil around the cuttings.
After planting, water the pots thoroughly to settle the soil and eliminate any air pockets. Allow excess water to drain out the bottom before bringing the pots indoors.
Place the pots in a warm area out of direct sunlight. Bottom heat between 70-80 F is ideal but not necessary. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy wet.
Caring for Autumn Sage Cuttings
While waiting for cuttings to root, there are a few key things to focus on:
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Maintain warmth – Keep pots above 70 F for the best rooting. Cooler temperatures slow growth.
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Provide high humidity – Cover pots with plastic wrap or use a seedling heat mat to boost humidity.
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Give bright, indirect light – A sunny windowsill is perfect. Direct hot sun can burn tender cuttings.
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Check soil moisture daily – Water whenever the top inch becomes dry. Don’t let cuttings wilt.
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Allow air circulation – Avoid mold by removing plastic or venting propagators briefly each day.
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Be patient – It takes 4-8 weeks for cuttings to form roots. Resist the urge to disturb them.
Transplanting Rooted Autumn Sage Cuttings
Test for rooting by gently tugging on cuttings. If there’s resistance, new roots have formed! When roots are 1/4-1/2 inch long, cuttings are ready to be transplanted.
Carefully separate and repot each rooted cutting into a 4-inch pot using potting soil. Bury the cutting up to the lowest set of leaves. Water well and place in partial sun for 7-10 days.
Once the transplant shows new growth, gradually introduce it to brighter light and outdoor conditions. Fully transition to the garden after 2-3 weeks.
Key Tips for Autumn Sage Propagation Success
Follow these tips to ensure your autumn sage cuttings root quickly and grow vigorously:
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Take cuttings in late summer/early fall when stems are semi-hardened
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Select non-flowering stems that snap cleanly when bent
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Cut stems 3-4 inches long below a leaf node
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Remove lower leaves, keep 2 sets at the top
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Use rooting hormone to speed up root growth
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Plant in loose potting mix amended with sand/perlite
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Maintain warm temperature and high humidity
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Provide bright, indirect sunlight
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Keep soil consistently moist but not wet
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Wait 4-8 weeks for roots to develop before transplanting
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Gradually harden off and transplant to garden after 2-3 weeks
With the simple process above, you’ll have beautiful new autumn sage plants to expand your garden or share. Taking cuttings from mature plants is an easy, affordable way to propagate this gorgeous fall-blooming perennial.
Step 4: Add to Soil or Water
Water method: Place the sage cuttings in a glass or other short, petite container of water. Add a couple inches of water to the bottom of the glass. Use filtered and/or non-chlorinated water if possible.
Soil method: Insert the cut stems into a container of seed starting soil or similar light potting medium. Plant the cuttings an inch or two deep. You can either place one sage cutting per container or cell (such as if using a 6-cell seed starting tray) or plant several in one larger container and gently separate them later. When grouping many in one container, leave at least a couple inches between each cutting so the roots won’t become too tangled.
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
It’s a good idea to have all your supplies ready and waiting before snagging the sage cuttings. They’ll have more success when the “wounds” are fresh, especially if you use a rooting hormone. If you’re working with already-cut or grocery store sage, simply add a fresh cut to the stem just above the old one.
Supplies needed:
- Garden snips or scissors to take sage cuttings. To avoid spreading disease, sanitize the snips with rubbing alcohol or vinegar first.
- A container of water (such as a vase, mason jar or cup) OR small pots and seed starting soil. It’s best to use sterile seed starting soil since it’s so light and fluffy – perfect for tiny roots to navigate. If you don’t have seed starting soil, use a potting soil made for containers or mix 50% peat moss with other garden soil.
- Sage plants to take cuttings from. Or pieces of sage, such as fresh grocery store bundles.
- Rooting hormone (optional). This Clonex gel is highly-rated!
Plant to Know: Autumn Sage
FAQ
Will sage cuttings root in water?
Should I cut back Autumn Sage?