Baby sage plants, also known as Salvia officinalis or common sage, are aromatic herbaceous perennials in the mint family Lamiaceae. They are native to the Mediterranean region but are popularly grown worldwide for use in cooking and traditional medicine With their soft gray-green leaves and pretty purple or blue flowers, baby sage plants make a beautiful addition to any herb garden

There are a few different types of baby sage plants that you can grow

Common Sage (Salvia officinalis)

This is the most popular and commonly grown type of sage. Common sage has soft, fuzzy gray-green leaves with a pebbly texture and purple, pink, or white flowers. It has a strong, earthy sage flavor and aroma.

Common sage thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It can survive some drought but does best with moderate water. This hardy sage grows 12-24 inches tall and wide. It can be grown from seeds, cuttings, divisions, or transplants.

This versatile sage is used for culinary purposes, tea, potpourris, and smudging. It also has some medicinal benefits as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and digestive aid.

Purple Sage (Salvia officinalis ‘Purpurascens’)

As the name suggests, this sage variety has eye-catching purple leaves with lighter undersides. The leaves and stems take on a deep reddish-purple hue, especially in cooler weather. The flowers are pinkish-purple.

Purple sage has a more ornamental look but can still be used for cooking. It prefers full sun and drier conditions. This variety grows 18-24 inches tall and wide. Grow it from seeds or cuttings.

Tricolor Sage (Salvia officinalis ‘Tricolor’)

Tricolor sage truly lives up to its name with green leaves variegated in creamy white and pink. As the plant matures, the leaf markings may fade to a light yellow. Lavender-blue flowers add to the colorful display.

This variety looks gorgeous as a ornamental border or container plant. It can be used for cooking but has a milder flavor than common sage. Tricolor sage thrives in full sun and grows up to 18-24 inches tall and wide.

Berggarten Sage (Salvia officinalis ‘Berggarten’)

Berggarten is a popular cooking sage valued for its large, rounded leaves. The leaves are soft gray-green and deeply wrinkled with a fuzzy texture.

This variety has a very strong, pungent sage flavor that stands up to cooking. It can be used fresh or dried. Berggarten sage can grow over 2 feet tall and wide. Grow this variety in full sun and well-drained soil.

Golden Sage (Salvia officinalis ‘Icterina’)

As the name describes, golden sage has green leaves dappled with yellow variegation. This gives the plant a bright, colorful look. The variegation may fade in summer heat. Lavender flowers add to its ornamental appeal.

Golden sage is mostly grown for its looks, but you can use the leaves for culinary purposes too. It grows 12-18 inches tall and wide in full sun to partial shade. Grow golden sage from cuttings to maintain the variegation.

Pineapple Sage (Salvia elegans)

While this tender perennial sage hails from Mexico and Guatemala, it thrives in gardens worldwide. The leaves have a fruity, tropical pineapple scent when crushed. Red flowers appear in late summer to fall.

Pineapple sage reaches 3-4 feet tall and wide in the right conditions. It prefers full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. You must grow it as an annual or bring it indoors for winter in cold climates. Use the bright red flowers and fruit-scented leaves to make teas, jellies, and potpourris.

Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea)

Clary sage is a biennial or short-lived perennial grown for its ornamental flowers and use in aromatherapy. The large, fuzzy leaves emit a strong nutty aroma when rubbed or crushed. In summer, it bears showy flowers ranging from white to purple to pink.

This sage variety can grow very tall, up to 5 feet. Give it plenty of space in full sun and well-drained soil. Use the leaves and flowers to make essential oil. Clary sage oil offers antiseptic, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory and sedative properties.

Fruity Sage (Salvia dorisiana)

Sometimes called fruit salad sage, this variety lives up to its name. When crushed, the fuzzy green leaves give off scents of citrus, melons, grapes, apples, and other fruits. Pale pink flowers appear in summer.

Fruity sage is not typically used for cooking. Grow it for its ornamental foliage and fragrance. It reaches 2-3 feet tall and wide in full sun with average to dry soil. Bring it indoors for winter in cold climates.

Bog Sage (Salvia uliginosa)

As you may have guessed, this moisture-loving sage naturally grows in swamps and bogs. Bog sage has attractive blue flowers and wrinkly leaves with a strong, pungent aroma.

Bog sage thrives in consistently damp soil. Use it along ponds, wetlands, or rain gardens. It can reach 3-4 feet tall and wide. Unlike most sages, bog sage prefers partial shade. It is not typically used for cooking due to its strong camphor-like scent.

Painted Sage (Salvia viridis)

Last but not least is painted sage, a showy ornamental sage. Young leaves emerge a striking red color before fading to green. Pink or blue flowers add to its appeal.

Painted sage is another sage variety used mostly for ornamental purposes, not cooking. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and reaches 12-18 inches tall and wide. Bring it indoors for winter in cold climates.

Growing Baby Sage Plants

Now that you know the different types of sage, let’s discuss some tips for growing baby sage plants successfully:

Starting Seeds Indoors

For the best germination rates, start sage seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before your last expected frost. Plant the tiny seeds in seed starting mix and keep the soil moist. Germination takes 14-21 days at 65-70°F.

Transplanting Outdoors

Harden off sage seedlings and transplant them outdoors after all danger of frost has passed. Choose a spot with full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Space plants 18-24 inches apart.

Growing from Cuttings

Take 4-6 inch cuttings from healthy stems. Remove the lower leaves and place the cut end in rooting hormone. Plant the cuttings in potting mix and keep them moist until roots form in 2-3 weeks.

Caring for Sage Plants

• Water sage plants regularly until established, then reduce watering. Too much moisture can cause root rot.

• Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during growing season.

• Prune lightly in spring to shape plants and remove dead branches. Avoid heavy pruning.

• Harvest leaves as needed once plants are at least 6 inches tall. Don’t harvest more than 1/3 of leaves at once.

• Mulch around plants to retain moisture and reduce weeds. Replenish mulch annually.

• Bring container plants indoors before first frost. Move outdoor plants to a sheltered spot or cover with row cover.

Culinary Uses for Baby Sage

The most popular use for baby sage is for cooking. Here are some ways to use the different varieties in your kitchen:

• Use common, Berggarten, purple, or tricolor sage to make flavored oils, vinegars, butter, and sea salt.

• Add fresh or dried leaves to stuffing, meat rubs, marinades, sauces, soups, stews, and egg dishes.

• Saute sage leaves in olive oil or butter and toss with pasta or gnocchi.

• Add chopped or whole sage leaves to bread, muffin, scone, and corn bread batters.

• Stuff whole sage leaves into the cavity of chicken or fish before roasting.

• Add fresh leaves to salads, cheeses, and creamy dips for a flavor kick.

• Candy the leaves by coating in egg white and sugar to use as a garnish.

• Infuse liquids like lemonade, cocktails, and tea with sage leaves.

• Pineapple and fruity sages add wonderful fruit essences but are less suitable for savory cooking.

Medicinal Uses for Sage

In addition to adding flavor to food, sage has a long history of use in herbal medicine:

• Sage tea can soothe sore throats, coughs, and cold symptoms.

• The anti-inflammatory properties help relieve mouth inflammations and canker sores.

• Sage oil and tea may aid digestion, relieve bloating, gas, and stomach pain.