Sage, Pitcher (Salvia spathacea) seeds, organic

$4.95

Family:  Mint (Lamiaceae)

Hardy to Zones 9 to 12

(Hummingbird Sage, Pitcher Sage) Evergreen, clumping  perennial flowering to 2 feet.  Native to the California Central Valley and Southern California.  Easily one of the most sought-after sages worldwide, the plant is pineapple aromatic and covered with oil glands.  The very robust flowering cola can be as thick as your wrist. The flowers occur in thick whorls–deep throated, magenta, and highly attractive to hummingbirds and sphinx moths.  Plant prefers sun to part shade, moderate water.  The plant thrives in the dry shade of oaks or pines.  Seeds 3-5 times larger than most sage species (e.g. S. officinalis, S. apiana) and quite rare in the trade. Sow in fast-draining mix.  Barely cover, tamp securely, and keep evenly moist and warm until germination.  Work up in pots and transplant out when sufficiently sized. Space plants 2 feet apart.  If happy, they will spread to cover the interstices, and can become a monotypic patch.   I find that these can also be kept in pots but they do not like to be allowed to dry out if in pots.

Packet contains 10 seeds
5 g contains ~ 200 seeds
10 g contains ~400 seeds

Certified Organically Grown

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  1. One person found this helpful
    Allegra

    Allegra

    This is our new family favorite and the absolute star of the herb garden. The foliage is so highly scented that it’s more aromatic than any flower and the perfume is like nothing I’ve ever smelled before — sweet, spicy, penetrating. These plants haven’t even bloomed yet but they have already established themselves as a center of attention. The foliage is really lush. The leaves are thickly crinkled and a beautiful dark grey-green and grow in a pleasingly symmetrical fashion. I originally intended to leave them in pots along with other herbs that do well in confinement but their beauty has earned them a place in a raised bed all their own. The germination was quite good (60 %) and the plants grew so quickly it seemed I was re-potting them into larger containers every few weeks. They receive about four hours of midday sun and light shade the rest of the time and they seem to like that just fine. I feed lightly every couple of weeks and they respond most gratifyingly.

    An added plus: pitcher sage leaves, when mixed with fresh lemon balm leaves (I use a 50-50 mix) make the finest herb tea I’ve ever tasted. Add a bit of stevia and it is really out of this world. The tea disappears almost as soon as I make it; to keep up with demand I’d have to strip my plants bare. I’ve rarely been so happy with anything I’ve grown. I’m expecting to like them even more once they start blooming.

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    • Allison Fite (verified owner)

      I’m having trouble getting my seeds started in my greenhouse following the instructions provided. Do you have any advice or additional recommendations?

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hi Allison,
      On our fall sowing schedule we planted a flat of Pitcher Sage from the same seed and it took about 20 days to come up, so you may need to wait longer. This is all new crop material and germination is assured if you do this: Sow in fast-draining mix.  Barely cover, tamp securely, and keep evenly moist and warm until germination.  
      Richo

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    • Jenny (verified owner)

      I’m on day 19 and nothing has sprouted. I’m using a click and grow indoor hydroponics unit. Should I keep waiting? Try another batch?

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    • One person found this helpful
      Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      hi jenny, sorry this software isn’t working right right now. i can only see the beginning of your question. This is a sage of the dry shade in warmer zones. hydroponics may not be suitable for it. richo

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  2. One person found this helpful
    Richo Cech

    Admin Richo Cech

    Note on Germination: Unscarified seed came up in 14 days and ongoing at 65 degrees F.  Volcanic germinator with fat cotyledons and leaves purple variegated–the royalty among sages–I know of no Salvia that is more desireable.  Richo

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    • One person found this helpful

      Willow (verified owner)

      I’m wondering how early to plant seeds indoors…? How long from germination until “sufficiently sized” to set outside, typically/on average?

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    • One person found this helpful
      Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      these should be started early–feb or march. we just planted a flat here. I do think it takes a good while for them to size up–3 months or more. r

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    • One person found this helpful

      Jerrica Sweetnich

      Hi I’m in zone 5 and it’s almost June- should I try to start these this year or wait until next year? Was planning on keeping them potted to move inside during the winter

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    • One person found this helpful
      Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      hi jerrica, perennials can be started anytime. i rarely advise to wait to plant seeds, the time to plant seeds is now. richo

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    • One person found this helpful

      Colleen De Maio (verified owner)

      Apologies if you get this question twice (I sent it a few days ago but got a weird error while submitting). The gist was, do you have any idea if pitcher sage will grow under a pepper tree (Schinus molle), since they do thrive under oaks? Thanks!

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    • One person found this helpful
      Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hi Colleen, I find the pitcher sages to be robust and adaptable. They don’t have to grow under oaks, they can grow under all sorts of other trees. richo

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