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When should I cut back my purple sage?

10 years ago

This is my first time growing sage and I picked up a purple cutting from a nursery. Its been doing really well since i planted it in my garden and its probably about ten inches tall now. Ive been reading that cutting it back will promote the bushiness but I just dont know when to do it. How big should i let it get before doing this?

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Comments (9)

jean001a
10 years ago
Where do you live?
GMOFREEGUY
Original Author
10 years ago
In northern california in the yuba sutter area. So im kind of in the valley in rice field territory
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Unless the plant is oversized, off balance and needs to be pruned, remove it from it's container. Clean off the soil, remove any rotten looking roots. Repot in a fast draining potting soil in a new pot with a hole in the bottom. Don't go too big on the pot, it won't need a lot of extra room. That's your best bet. If you do trim off a cutting, allow it to dry a couple days, put it in a separate pot and don't water until you believe it has roots, several weeks probably. Don't re-use the glass bowl or that soil. OK?
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the base problem is that you have a root mass.. for the size you have right now ... no matter how far you cut it back.. you might be surprised how fast it grows back ... and was planted.. sited.. for the cute little plant it was in the pot ... with no real concept of its potential .... considering the side of the house and the driveway ... i like mikes suggestion of rooting some more plants ... and finding some other place for them ... and thinking about removing this monster ... in the mean time.. cut it back as suggested ...and see how fast it responds ... and then if it displeases you in a year or two ... removal will be less of a decision .. since you have others to enjoy .. ken ps: if you dont have a damp shady spot for rootings.. put a couple in a pot of damp media.. and put it near the spigot ... and keep it damp .... not sure if winter in your zone is the best timing for cuttings????
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CA Kate z9
10 years ago
I live in the Central Valley and have found that it is wise to leave the pruning until the Salvias start sending out new growth in the spring. Prune back to new growth.
GMOFREEGUY
Original Author
10 years ago
Okay cool how big should I expect it to get overall? Its just in a 5 gallon pot right now but if its supposed to get really big Ill move it to something with more space in the spring
rich_dufresne
10 years ago
Purple sage can mean any of a number of Salvias. Which species and form is it?
Siir
10 years ago
Well, if it's happy with your temperature range, and it's a California native, it's most likely Salvia leucophylla.

If that's the case, then it's probably a good idea to tip it now so that the coming shrub is good and branched.

S. leucophylla often grows over 5 feet tall in as many years, but the Point Sal variety tends to remain about 3 feet by 3 feet. I recommend either a pretty big, draining pot or to put it in the ground.
GMOFREEGUY
Original Author
10 years ago
Its actually salvia officinalus. The leaves are a really bright purple and green
rich_dufresne
10 years ago
If you are gardening in a flood plain or on a hillside where runoff channels, a raised bed with drainage and some lime would be useful. Sages can do well in damp soil, but their roots must have air.

Mediterranean sages like S. officianalis like limy soils as well.
GMOFREEGUY
Original Author
10 years ago
Yeah I do live in a flood plain area but my house is elevated a lot from the street and we havent had any major flooding since ive lived here so it should be okay.

Cool sounds like im doing pretty good with it then. I got some really great soil thats nice for drainage and its nice and airy for it. And I had to had dylomite lime to the soil when I got it

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