Repotting your baby sage (salvia officinalis) periodically is an essential task for keeping it healthy and promoting new growth. While it may seem daunting at first, repotting sage is actually quite straightforward when you follow some simple guidelines. In this article, we’ll walk through when and how to repot your baby sage step-by-step.
When to Repot Baby Sage
The most common signs that your baby sage needs repotting include
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Roots visibly circling the bottom of the pot or emerging from the drainage holes. This indicates your sage is rootbound.
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Slow growth and smaller than expected leaves. The plant is stunted due to limited space for the roots.
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Leaves yellowing or wilting Lack of nutrients caused by congested roots
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Soil drying out very quickly after watering. Roots have overtaken the pot.
Ideally, you should repot baby sage every year in the spring. This prevents the plant from becoming severely rootbound and gives the roots fresh soil and nutrients annually.
Preparing for Repotting
Before you start, gather these supplies to make the process smooth:
- New pot 1-2 inches wider than the current pot, with drainage holes
- Potting mix formulated for herbs
- Small shovel or trowel
- Pruning shears or scissors (optional)
- Watering can
- Gardening gloves
Choose a plastic, terracotta, or ceramic pot. Avoid going more than 2 inches bigger to prevent overwatering. For potting mix, use a lightweight soil with perlite or vermiculite to improve drainage.
Step-by-Step Repotting Instructions
Follow these simple steps to repot your baby sage:
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Water the sage plant 1-2 days before repotting. This makes removal easier.
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Lay down newspaper or a tarp to contain the mess. Repotting can get muddy!
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Gently remove the plant from its old pot. Plastic pots can be squeezed and tipped sideways.
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Check the root ball for circling or tangled roots. Untangle or trim any damaged roots.
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Place a couple inches of potting mix into the new pot. Position the sage plant inside.
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Fill around the root ball with more mix, pressing gently to stabilize it. Leave 1 inch from the pot’s rim.
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Water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom drainage holes. Let excess water drain away.
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Place the newly potted sage in a sunny location protected from harsh weather for 1-2 weeks.
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Resume normal care, allowing the soil to partly dry out between waterings. Apply fertilizer after 4-6 weeks.
Caring for Sage After Repotting
In the first weeks after repotting your baby sage, take these steps to help it recover:
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Allow the soil to partly dry out before watering again. Too much moisture causes root rot.
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Keep it in a sheltered, shady spot for 1-2 weeks to reduce transplant stress.
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Avoid fertilizing right away, as this can burn new roots. Wait 4-6 weeks before feeding.
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Monitor for signs of shock like drooping or yellow leaves. If needed, trim damaged foliage.
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Check soil moisture often as the plant establishes its roots in the new pot.
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Once established, transition back to its original sunny location.
With proper aftercare, your sage will quickly bounce back and you’ll notice bushier growth within a few weeks of repotting.
Troubleshooting Common Repotting Issues
Here are some quick tips if you encounter problems:
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If leaves wilt severely, try moving the plant to a shadier area and misting leaves.
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If leaves turn yellow, ensure you aren’t overwatering. Let the soil partly dry out between waterings.
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For root rot, trim affected roots and repot in fresh, well-draining mix. Discard the old soil.
By following this repotting guide, you can give your baby sage the refreshed soil and room to grow that it needs to thrive. Just be sure to watch for signs it needs repotting and use a gentle approach to avoid shock. With the right care, your sage will reward you with vigorous growth and abundant leaves for cooking.
How to fertilize Baby Sage
Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plants nutrients, repot your Baby Sage after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
Baby Sage is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!
Baby Sage prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Baby Sage requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive . Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home .
Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.
If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.
Baby Sage doesn’t require additional humidity. Plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves, so the best way to provide humidity for your plants is through watering the soil.
Baby Sage does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!
Baby Sage should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
Baby Sage is native to Worldwide.
Baby Sage grows along the ground and sends out shoots which will spread across the soil.
USDA Hardiness Zone Baby Sage can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 7a-10b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
Baby Sage can be propagated by division into new individual plants.
- Check to see if there is more than one plant. In some cases they may still be beneath the soil surface. If you feel confident, you may remove the soil to check for baby plantlets below!
- If there are multiple plants growing, unpot the plant and gently tug the plants apart, being careful not to disturb too many of the roots. They may be connected by large root segments which you may need to break to free the plantlet.
- Pot up the new plant in well-draining soil
- Repot the parent plant back into its original pot
When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.
Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.
Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.
Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.
Taxonomy Scientific name
Baby Sage needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5″ pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every 9
Does your plant get direct sunlight? No Yes
Select the pot size
Greg is a plant care intelligence that has learned how plants work so you can grow with confidence!
How to Repot Sage : Planting Herbs
FAQ
When should I repot my sage?
How do you repot a sage plant?
How to care for baby sage?
Can you grow baby sage from cuttings?
How do you transplant a sage plant?
This will help the sage establish healthy roots and give it the best chance of success. When you are ready to transplant, start by digging a hole that is at least twice the size of the root ball. Then, carefully remove the sage from the pot or old area and place it in the hole. Make sure to loosen the roots and spread them out in the hole.
What is sage propagation?
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.
How do you root a sage plant?
Using a fresh aloe vera leaf (the gel portion) as a natural rooting hormone. 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.
How do you grow sage in pots?
Select a well-draining soil and add water so that it resembles a damp sponge consistency. The soil should be able to form a ball when squeezed, and only have a maximum of 1 – 2 water droplets come out. The ball should also easily crumble apart when pressure is applied. What fertilizer is best for Growing Sage in Pots?