edenhana

Sage

A hardy perennial culinary herb that's drought-tolerant once established and relatively pest-resistant compared to more tender herbs. Needs genuinely free-draining soil, as it dislikes wet or humid conditions and is prone to root rot in heavy clay.

Sun
full sun
Water
low
Spacing
45cm
Harvest
Ready in 75-90 days
Difficulty
beginner
Grows in
Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Hamilton / Waikato, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Napier / Hawke's Bay, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Tasman, Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago, Invercargill / Southland
Expected yield
Continuous leaf picking once established
Cost to grow
~$5 NZD
Grocery value
~$18 NZD
Companion plants
Cabbage family, Carrots, Rosemary
Plants to avoid nearby
Cucumber
Common diseases
Root rot in wet soil

When to plant by region

In Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Napier / Hawke's Bay: March-April and September-October. In Hamilton / Waikato, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Tasman, Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago and Invercargill / Southland: September-October.

Growing stages

  1. Planting

    • Choose a free-draining, full-sun spot; sage dislikes wet or humid conditions and heavy clay soil
    • Space plants around 45cm apart to allow for its bushy, spreading habit

  2. Establishment

    • Water while roots establish, even though mature plants are drought-tolerant
    • Relatively pest-resistant compared to more tender herbs, but keep an eye on soft new growth early on

  3. Ongoing growth & harvest75-90 days from planting, then continuous

    • Pick leaves regularly; sage is drought-tolerant once established and needs little watering
    • Watch for root rot if drainage is poor, particularly in heavy clay or over wet winters
    • Trim back lightly after flowering to keep growth compact and prevent it becoming woody

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