Salvia Apiana - White Sage | 20 seeds

Salvia Apiana - white sage, 20 seeds

Salvia Apiana, commonly known as white sage, belongs to the mint family (Lamiaceae), the same family as mint, rosemary and common sage. The plant naturally occurs only in the coastal chaparral and dry hillsides of Southern California down into Baja California, Mexico, typically below 1,500 metres in elevation. The species name "apiana" comes from the Latin word for bee: the white to pale lavender flowers that appear on tall flower stalks in spring attract plenty of bees, bumblebees and hummingbirds.

Mature plants grow roughly 1 to 1.5 metres tall and about as wide, with elongated, silvery-grey leaves covered in fine hairs. When touched or rubbed, these hairs release essential oils, giving the plant its strong, herbal scent. White sage has long played an important role in the ceremonial traditions of Indigenous peoples of Southern California, who dried and burned the leaves among other uses.

Sowing and growing

Sow the seeds shallowly, just a few millimetres deep, in well-draining, slightly sandy soil, since white sage is sensitive to excess moisture around the roots. Choose a spot in full sun: in its native habitat the plant experiences hot, dry summers and mild winters. Germination can be uneven and take several weeks; a steady temperature of around 18 to 21°C helps. Once the seedlings are established, the plant tolerates drought well and needs little extra water.

Care

Let the soil dry out well between waterings, as white sage is prone to root rot in consistently wet soil. In the Netherlands the plant overwinters best in a sheltered, sunny spot or in a pot kept frost-free during winter, since it does not tolerate prolonged hard frost. Prune spent flower stalks after blooming to keep the shrub compact.

Dutch-smart.nl also stocks other seeds and growing supplies, such as Blue Lotus and Hyoscyamus Niger seeds, for anyone looking to expand their herb garden.