Sage is a fresh herb that is popular for seasoning poultry dishes. Its aroma will take you back to Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners. Despite being a seasoning, it’s a beautiful plant to have in your garden or home. It thrives well in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9.
But, if you are interested in growing it indoors, you can grow it anywhere irrespective of the climatic zone. All you have to do is ensure the indoor environment is conducive to sage growth. In this guide, we will share tips on how to care for a sage plant indoors. Before we start, you should know that growing sage isn’t often complicated and won’t require much care or attention.
How To Care For Sage Plant Indoors
It doesn’t matter whether you are a beginner or have years of experience growing indoor plants. Sage is a stress-free plant. As long as you provide this plant with its basic needs, it should mature into a luscious indoor plant. You can plant a wide variety of companion plants with sage too!
1. Lighting
One of the essential requirements for indoor sage growth is sufficient lighting. This plant needs around 6 hours of sunlight per day. If you have a window in your home that receives this much sunlight, that would be a great place to put your potted sage.
Also, if your windows don’t receive this amount of sun, you can use a grow light. Grow lights come in handy not just with sage herbs but with all indoor plants. So, if you love growing indoor plants, investing in a grow light is a great idea. Don’t forget to turn the plant regularly since it will grow towards the light source.
2. Well-draining Soil and Container
Once you are done setting up the lighting arrangements, you should check on the soil drainage. Sage doesn’t do very well in moist soil. The plant requires well-draining soil, and the container should also incorporate this feature. Also, the soil should have a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
3. An Indoor Temperature of 70-degrees F
Sage is a warm-weather crop. This plant thrives in an indoor temperature of 70-degrees F. This falls under the room temperature range in which most people are comfortable. It’s also worth noting that extreme heat will have a negative side effect and result in wilting.
4. Adequate Humidity Levels (40%)
The main reason you will find sage in kitchens and bathrooms is that these rooms are naturally humid. For most indoor gardeners that don’t have the time or resources to invest in a humidifier, placing sage plants in kitchens and bathrooms ensures the plants receive the proper humidity levels needed for growth.
If your kitchen and bathroom windows don’t have access to sunlight, you can either place a humidifier next to the plant. Or, you can grow the sage in a big planter with pebbles and water at the bottom, which will ensure there is enough moisture surrounding the plant.
5. Be Very Careful When Watering Sage
Remember when we mentioned that sage is a stress-free indoor plant? It’s because it doesn’t need to be watered now and then. It is a drought-tolerant herb that only needs to be watered when the soil dries out. Occasionally, you should check if the soil is dry by dipping your finger into the pot. If you can practice deep watering with sage herbs, your plant should efficiently use water.
6. Prune Your Sage Plant Occasionally
If you want your sage plant to fill out, embrace the habit of pruning it occasionally. It is advisable to prune the tips. That ensures the sage grows fuller, making it look better and providing you with more herbs to season your meals.
7. Prevent Pests and Diseases
Just because you are growing sage plants indoors, that doesn’t mean they are free from pests and diseases. Aphids, mites, and whiteflies can hinder the growth of your sage plant. It’s essential to check on these frequently. When spotted, they can be eliminated using an insecticide.
Regarding diseases, sage grown indoors is mostly vulnerable to root rot. This will happen if you grow the sage in a container and soil that doesn’t drain well. Sage is often intimidated by sitting water. Avoid overwatering the sages, and they will remain healthy.
8. Supply It with Adequate Fertilizer
Sage grown indoors requires more fertilizer than the one grown outdoors. This is because the soil in a pot has limited access to nutrients. You, therefore, have to supplement it with a fertilizer such as NPK. Fertilizer can be added when planting the sage. It’s vital that you apply enough fertilizer. Too much of it can be harmful to sages.
How To Care For Sage Plant Indoors: Conclusion
This aromatic herb can do well as an indoor plant, as long as you take proper care of it. A well-taken care of sage plant will provide you with all-year-round foliage to season your meals.