Salvia apiana, commonly known as white sage, has been used for centuries by Native Americans for medicinal and spiritual purposes. Due to interest in traditional herbal remedies, many people grow white sage in their gardens. This perennial herb is an attractive silver-leafed shrub with silver-blue flowers. Since it grows up to 5 feet tall, it is usually grown in the back of the flowerbed as a backdrop for smaller herbs.
Instructions
1. Fill peat pots with potting soil and water thoroughly, until the soil is completely dampened.
2. Bury white sage seeds no more than 1/8-inch deep in the potting soil. The seeds have a low germination rate, so use more than one per pot. White sage naturally grows on a dry hillside where seeds are barely covered with soil and leaves.
3. Put pot in a warm, sunny location. White sage seeds have a low germination rate and require a full 8 hours of sunlight daily to sprout. Seeds usually sprout within 14 days.
4. Water when the top of the soil is dry to the touch. Add water until it drains from the bottom of the pot and the soil is completely moistened.
5. Plant seedlings outside in a sunny, well drained location, after all chance of frost is past. While white sage prefers sandy soil, it will also grow in clay or rocky soils. If the soil is heavy, amend with well-aged compost. Plant at the same depth as in the pot, do not expose the roots or bury the crown. Add mulch around the plant, pulling it 2 inches away from the stems. Water when the soil is dry.
6. Harvest the leafy stalks from the mature plants by cutting only the top part of the plant. If you cut from the bottom, that stem will not grow back.
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