There are several ways to propagate sage in the garden yourself. These are more or less complicated. Below we present the most important methods step by step. This guarantees successful propagation.

In a nutshell

  • can be multiplied by various methods
  • Cutting propagation most common
  • Sow in spring and autumn
  • Lowering and division further propagation possibilities

Multiplying is easy

Common sage (Salvia officinalis) grows into a perennial shrub. Growing in the garden is not particularly difficult, as is propagating the herb. The most common and also most common method to propagate sage, but also other herbs, is the rooting of head cuttings. In the following, the individual ways of propagating sage are explained in more detail step by step in individual instructions.

Propagate by cuttings

When propagating by cuttings, top cuttings should always be cut before flowering. The best time for propagating sage from cuttings is between late April and early June. During this time, the degree of ripeness of the shoots is optimal. They are no longer soft, but they are not yet lignified. The procedure is as follows:

Step 1: cut cuttings

  • Cut top cuttings to a length of 6 to 10 cm
  • Use sharp pruning shears/knife to do this
  • Do not squeeze shoots
  • Cuttings should have at least three to four pairs of leaves

Step 2: Remove leaves

  • only leave the top two pairs of leaves
  • Strip off all other leaves by hand

Notice: The fewer leaves left on the cutting, the more energy can be released for root formation.

Step 3: Cut diagonally

  • Cut the cuttings at an angle directly under a leaf node (node).
  • here the highest growth substance concentration is present
  • use a sharp, clean knife

Step 4: Trim leaves

  • Cut the remaining leaves in half
  • thereby reducing the evaporation surface
  • Cuttings grow better

Step 5: Planting

  • Fill the growing pots with a herbal soil-sand mixture or growing soil
  • Use one to three cuttings per pot
  • Cover the bottom leaf nodes with soil
  • Avoid soil contact with leaves
  • Press the earth firmly
  • water well
  • then remove excess water from coaster

Step 6: Creation of a humid and warm microclimate

  • either place a glass pane on pots or
  • Stick two or three wooden skewers into the soil on the edge of the pot
  • Put on the plastic bag
  • This means that sheets cannot come into contact with foil
  • protects against evaporation and dehydration
  • air regularly
  • Keep pots bright but not sunny
  • Substrate must not dry out

After about two to three weeks, the top cuttings will have roots. A new shoot growth indicates this. The foil hood is then no longer necessary and the pots can be moved to a sheltered place in the garden until autumn.

Notice: A PET bottle can also be used as a hood. Simply cut off the base and put it over the cuttings. Unscrew the lid to ventilate.

Propagation by sinkers

The best time for propagating sage by sinkers is in early summer. Healthy, annual shoots from older shrubs are then used for this propagation method. The procedure is therefore as follows

Step 1: Select drive

  • must not be woody

Step 2: Pull out of the ground

  • Pull the shoot out of the ground slightly
  • don't tear off

Step 3: Make a furrow

  • make a furrow in the ground under shoots
  • Depth about 10 cm

Step 4: Lay the sinker in the furrow

  • Bend the sinker carefully and place it in the furrow
  • cover with earth, possibly with stones
  • The tip of the shoot must protrude 10 to 15 cm from the ground
  • Keep soil constantly moist
  • at the same time avoid waterlogging

Step 5: Attach wooden stick

  • Tie the shoot to a wooden stick to stabilize it
  • Mother plant supplies sinkers with nutrients until they are rooted

Step 6: Cutting off the mother plant

  • Rooting complete: formation of new leaves at the shoot tip and
  • careful pulling on the drive causes slight counter-pressure
  • Topping of mother plant can be done
  • best time spring or fall
  • use sharp knife
  • then plant the young plant in a new location

Notice: Rooting can be accelerated by scratching the shoot in various places with a razor blade before lowering.

Propagation by seed

Another way to propagate is by sowing. This can be done as a pre-culture on the windowsill from mid-February or as direct sowing outdoors from the end of April until autumn.

Step 1: Soak seeds

  • For better germination, soak seeds in lukewarm water overnight

Step 2: Prepare pots/beds

  • Fill the growing pots with a peat-sand mixture, seed soil or lean herbal soil
  • rake up deeply in the open field bed
  • Incorporate compost

Step 3: Plant seeds

  • Use one to two seeds per pot
  • sow in rows outdoors
  • Row spacing 50 cm
  • within the row 30 to 40 cm

Step 4: Covering the Seeds

  • Sowing depth 1 to 1.5 cm
  • Sieve seeds thinly with substrate or sand

Step 5: Soak

  • Spray pots with water from a spray bottle
  • sprinkle lightly outdoors
  • Substrate must not dry out
  • at the same time avoid waterlogging

Step 6: Further care measures

  • in partially shaded, warm places at 18 to 22 °C, germination takes place after 7 to 21 days
  • Apply garden fleece outdoors to protect against cold temperatures and bird damage
  • remove weeds regularly
  • Plants grown in pre-culture can be transplanted into the garden from mid-May

Notice: Plants that have been brought forward or bought should be acclimated to the semi-shade for a few days before planting out in the garden.

Division when transplanting

After about three to four years, the sage has then developed into a quite sprawling and strong shrub. During the time he has also completely drained the soil. He should be transplanted. Here it can be shared and thus multiplied. The following steps must be observed:

Step 1: Choose a time

  • optimal is the period between March and April or
  • in early autumn after flowering

Step 2: loosening the roots

  • Insert a digging fork all around the bush
  • loosen roots at the same time

Step 3: Cut through root strands

  • Cut through roots that are too long with a spade
  • Carefully lift the root ball out of the ground

Step 4: Division

  • Divide the root ball into pieces with a sharp knife or spade
  • each part must have at least two shoots

Step 5: Prepare new location

  • loosen soil
  • Incorporate compost
  • Dig a plant pit
  • should be twice the size of root ball

Step 6: Planting

  • Insert root ball
  • only as deep as before division
  • Fill in the soil and press down
  • water well

frequently asked Questions

What demands does sage make on the soil and location?

The evergreen subshrub loves a sunny to semi-shady, warm and wind-protected place in the herb bed. The soil must be rich in nutrients and humus, moderately dry and well drained. The sage needs slightly calcareous, slightly loamy sandy soil.

What should be considered when watering sage?

He loves a moist but not wet soil. It tolerates slight dry periods without any problems, but waterlogging should be avoided. Young sage plants need regular but moderate watering. The soil should dry out slightly between waterings. From the second year, watering is then only necessary in long-lasting dry periods. In winter, it should be watered lightly on frost-free days.

Does the Mediterranean subshrub need protection in winter?

Its origin says a lot about the winter hardiness. Not all species therefore easily survive the cold season in our latitudes. They can certainly tolerate light frosts, but it is always advisable to protect the subshrub in winter. To do this, the root area should be provided with a thick layer of leaves and brushwood, and the sprout should be wrapped with garden fleece. Potted plants then ideally spend the winter in a light and cool place indoors.

Category:

Vegetable garden