Consulta Plantas

Care of the plant Salvia sclarea or Clary sage

The genus Salvia, family Lamiaceae, comprises 1,000 species of shrubs and herbaceous plants native to Asia, Africa, the Mediterranean region, and Central and South America. Some species are: Salvia sclarea, Salvia verbenacea, Salvia x sylvestris, Salvia leucophylla, Salvia vaseyi, Salvia elegans, Salvia fruticosa, Salvia officinalis, Salvia splendens, Salvia scabra, Salvia nemorosa, Salvia namaensis, Salvia microphylla, Salvia mexicana, Salvia mellifera, Salvia leucantha, Salvia lanceolata, Salvia guaranitica, Salvia greggii, Salvia farinacea, Salvia disermas, Salvia canariensis, Salvia aurea, Salvia apiana, Salvia africana.

Common name: Clary sage. This species is native to South Europe.

Salvia sclarea is a perennial or biennial herbaceous plant with an erect, branched shape that reaches 1.7 meters (5.57 feet) in height. The hairy, large green leaves have serrated edges and are very aromatic. The attractive white, violet or pink flowers appear in long panicles above the leaves. It blooms from mid-spring to mid-summer.

Clary sage is used in rockeries, on dry and sunny slopes, in borders and flowerbeds and in pots for patios and terraces. This plant has medicinal properties like common sage and can also be used as a culinary condiment.

Salvia sclarea prefers full sun exposure and a temperate climate. It resists frosts down to -15 ºC (5 ºF).

The soil can be normal, well-drained garden soil with coarse sand and containing abundant organic matter; it does not tolerate clay soils.

Water moderately, waiting for the substrate to dry completely; Clary sage has good resistance to drought.

Fertilize in autumn with compost or manure.

Prune off wilted inflorescences.

Salvia sclarea is resistant to common pests and diseases.

Clary sage is propagated from seeds sown in late winter or late spring.

Images of the plant Salvia sclarea or Clary sage