Sage, White (Salvia apiana) seeds, organic
$4.95 – $69.10
Family: Mint (Lamiacea)
Hardy to Zones 7 to 12, otherwise grown as a potted plant and protected from frost
(Sacred White Sage) Woody perennial native to California. The leafy shrub usually grows to 2 or 3 feet tall, flowering light blue to a height of 6 feet on multiple upright racemes. The beautiful white foliage of this indigenous plant sets off the silver-blue flowering spikes. Foliage is light green to white when the plant is young, and turns very white as the plant matures, and especially after drying the leaves. This is the most highly valued and revered of all North American Sages, burned ceremonially to cleanse the spirit and welcome positive thoughts. Probably the most popular of all plants for smudging, the leaves dry down almost white and burn with an intense smoke. The smoke purifies the surroundings–it is good to smudge the home, the sickroom (it kills germs!) or to smudge after intense human interactions. Used before, during and after prayer sessions. The characteristic perfume of this plant is sweet and penetrating. If you’re concerned about your “right” to use this plant, then I have 2 suggestions. 1) grow your own, using cultivated (not wild) seed. This creates a connection between the grower and the plant, which helps validate the medicine. 2) Sit with the plant. Enjoy its essence. See if it feels right for you to be growing and using it, and if so, then pray that all who touch, smell, see or think about these plants be purified and in peace. If it doesn’t feel right, don’t do it. If it feels right, go ahead. That’s my advice on that. Cultivation and harvest: White sage prefers sandy soil in the full sun. Plants grow quickly during the summer and may be trimmed back in the fall, after flowering is complete. Scarify seeds on fine grit sandpaper, sow seeds in very sandy soil, barely cover, tamp well, keep warm and in strong light and water only once daily until germination. Our seed is from northern-hardy individuals and is a vigorous germinator–normal germ time 14 days in warm and light conditions. Winter survivability improves when the plant is surrounded by a deep mulch of sand at the crown–this keeps the crown warmer and drier. Winter survival also encouraged by planting on the south side of a building, where it gets reflected light and protection. Space plants 2 to 3 feet apart. Cut the leafy wands in the fall, semi-dry them, then tie into bundles for use during the winter.
Packet contains 100 seeds
1 g contains ~600 seeds
5 g contains ~3,000 seeds
10 g contains ~6,000 seeds
Certified Organically Grown
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bernard –
HI Richo Cech nice to meet you here.im form china
I plan to plant in China .I read all your comments.
I really want to know about your previous planting in Yunnan.Did you grow white sage in Dali, Yunnan before? How are they growing? Can they survive the winter?
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Richo Cech –
hello bernard, The white sage was grown in Huize. They grew well and were winter hardy there. High and dry. Richo
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Question
Andy –
Does it have to be sand or can you use a Cactus Palm and Citrus Potting Soil Mix?
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Richo Cech –
hi andy, i think the cactus mix should be fine. you might want to screen it to get rid of some of the larger elements so that you have a finer material to seed into. we’re having phenomenal results with white sage this year and hope your planting does well. richo
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Question
Mary C. –
Hello, I live in Connecticut and was wondering if it would be possible to grow indoors here until the summer. We’ve been having fewer and fewer summer rainstorms over the past few years and getting hotter, sunnier weather thanks to climate change.
My biggest question would be how the plant would do started indoors beforehand.
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Richo Cech –
Hi Mary, not only possible but recommended. white sage grows slowly at first and in order to produce a seedling of adequate size one starts indoors under lights early in the season. strew the entire packet on surface of sand and press in, keep evenly moist, warm and in intense light until germination, which occurs in about 5 days. r
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Thalia –
do you grow yours outside or in a conservatory? i also live in southern Oregon but in a very shady spot, maybe ill wait until i move into a more open valley area
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Richo Cech –
Hi Thalia,
We start our plants in the greenhouse and transplant outside for summer growing.
Richo
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Seamus Black (verified owner) –
We love these seeds (as well as everything else we have bought from Strictly Medicinal) and are so happy that you offer them in bulk. In an effort to be a part of the solution we are repackaging the seeds and sending them out as free gifts to all of our customers with every purchase. Even the seeds smell like sage! As an indoor gardener I am also grateful for the added recommendations for how to grow these seeds in pots, I’ll be starting my own shortly.
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martha m. –
Does the white sage plant, can you cut a piece and will it grow from a cutting? Or will it only grow from the seeds?
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Richo Cech –
hi martha, for all practical purposes from seeds only. even if you layer the plant and get a lower branch to sprout, the bark is such that it doesn’t really callus well and the end result is usually a sick plant. we grow all our white sage from seeds. r
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Tomé –
dont ship to Macau?
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Richo Cech –
if you can order it, we will ship it, and we cannot guarantee receipt.
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Question
Amanda Lima (verified owner) –
Hi! I got some salvia seeds as a gift. bought from you.
I live in Brazil. what would be the best season of the year for germination?
another question would be in the germination process.
Do I have to put it straight in the earth or I get it out of the earth and then I put it in the earth afterwards?
do I have to activate the seed (remove dormancy)? if yes, what method?
thank you! I hope I can germinate this time hahaha
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Richo Cech –
hi amanda, perennials may be planted in any season. use a pot or deep flat, filled with sandy potting soil, and press the seeds into the surface, then keep evenly moist and in the light until germination. if the right conditions are provided palpable germination begins at day 3. r
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Lizuka –
Hello, I want to plant a white sage start in a shallow, wide ceramic pot. Will the roots be happy? I live in Portland and will protect from the rain. I have an older plant in a deep paper pot and it does pretty well against the house on the southern side during the rainy months.
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Richo Cech –
6yes, shallow and wide is preferred. roots will be happiest if they grow through the drainage hole and find real dirt. r
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OstaraMoon (verified owner) –
Hi Richo,
I have a dumb question… When you say keep the seeds in light, do you mean keeping light on them 24/7 until germination?
I’m in central-ish Texas and it’s hot (mid 90s day time temp) and fairly humid right now. Would it be too hot to start some seeds now? I have the option to start them in a shade house or leave them under direct sun, would either of these option satisfy the light requirement for germination? Thank you in advance for your advice!
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Richo Cech –
Hello Ostera,
Keeping seeds in the light means letting the sunlight shine on the planting during the daytime. Many seeds contain phytochrome that enables germination like a light switch enables a lightbulb. Often when its very hot you can indeed get away with surface-sowing and leaving in a shadehouse. There is usually enough light. Richo
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Martha –
Hello i live in California the Central Valley pretty hot here. I want to experiment and grow white sage. What is the best recommendation? Can I start growing it outside full sunlight? Do I need to start with something small for the seeds and sand? Or regular potting soil?
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Richo Cech –
the main thing we’ve discovered, after trying everything it seems, is surface-sow on sand and keep in the light. germ in 3 days under ideal conditions. richo
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Krystal Tomchuk (verified owner) –
So your saying no cover at all just press them in? I’ve bought many seeds from your company this year year everything else 90% germ rate for sure, but these sage oh my had one sprout, as far as she made it though.
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Richo Cech –
Hi Krystal,
Here’s a link to a video on seed planting techniques that applies to the white sage https://www.google.com/search?q=youtube+strictly+medicinal+seeds+seed+planting&oq=youtube+strictly+medicinal+seeds+seed+planting&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i64.27933j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:4ac7e606,vid:qdd6SdW5sHs
meanwhile if you need white sage plants we do have many very nice ones available for shipment in september and I believe the largest ones are still on sale. Richo
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Krystal Tomchuk (verified owner) –
I live in Canada, can I even order live and bare root type things ? The being so far north could also be my issue,
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Richo Cech –
hi krystal, try growing western mugwort instead. easy from seed, northern hardy and used similarly to white sage as a burnable. we can’t send plants or roots to canada and white sage belongs in far warmer climes, thats why you’re having trouble with it. richo
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Krystal Tomchuk (verified owner) –
I’m pretty stubborn so ill keep trying, pit out some more today, may have also found two plants that the birds may have planted for me. Their good at that. My pepper patch is a little crowded with some giant sunflowers that gave me. Oddly enough the sunflowers have been helping during these heat wave and casting some good shade for them. Awe the perfection.
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Cindy W Ho –
Hi!
Like to know if you can ship to Singapore?
Are white sage suitable to grow in our climate?
How do we know if the white sage seeds is authentic?
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Richo Cech –
Hi Cindy, I did grow this at elevation in Yunnan if that’s any help. I think we do attempt shipment to Singapore and we don’t guarantee receipt. I suppose the photos posted on our website should help you understand that the seeds are correctly identified.
Richo
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Anushka Ramnath –
Hi good day. Do you ship to Trinidad and Tobago?
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Richo Cech –
Hello Anushka, If you can get an order to go through, we will ship the seeds, and we cannot guarantee receipt. Richo
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Rea –
Hi I am from Greece and i am wondering if the seeds can be planted here and if you’re sending here. Thank you
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Richo Cech –
Hi Rea, I wish I could be of more help–of course white sage will grow in Greece, it likes a Mediterranean climate. We can no longer ship to the EU due to stringent seed regulations. Richo
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Rea –
Thank you for the respond but I dont know about seed regulations. Can you explain to me briefly? Thank you in advance
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Richo Cech –
As of 3/25/2021 and ongoing, international seed orders including Canada are made at buyer’s own risk. We cannot guarantee delivery and in the case of non-delivery there will be no refunds or re-sends. We will receive and ship orders as always, but cannot account for the actions of foreign customs or Ag., which is the reason for this non-guarantee.
International orders (no live roots or plants) are shipped via AIR MAIL only and we do not provide phytosanitary certificates. Due to new, extremely stringent regulations, we cannot successfully ship seeds to: The EU, Montenegro or Scandinavia, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Arabia, Mexico, Central and South America or Africa. We still ship with some success to: Canada, Asia, and European countries not in the EU.
We sadly regret not being able to disseminate seeds more freely, and hope that our gardening friends living in places that will not accept seed shipments have made good use of what they received from us in the past and will continue to save seeds and support biodiversity on a local level.
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Ρέα Χρυσαν –
Thank you so much. I have my brother living in the states can he order and bring it to me when he comes on vacation? I really love my plants here. I nourish them and they do the same to me..!
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Richo Cech –
We are happy to ship seeds at fast turnaround anywhere in the USA!
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Cao –
Hello.. can you ship your white sage seeds to Singapore???
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Richo Cech –
Cao, If you can get the order to go through we will send the seeds. Use the dropdown menu to choose 5 g (3,000 seeds). It’s $28.55 USD plus shipping and we do not guarantee delivery to Singapore. Richo
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Richo Cech –
White sage generally exhibits low and ongoing germination even when fresh. The shelf life of really good seed is about 2 years. Sometimes exceptional growers, who really understand the requirements of the plant, can get 3-day germination and high germination rates from seeds that other growers completely fail with. It is all part of the great mystery.
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Fidel. Chigbogu –
Please can you give a vivid discription of how to germinate this white sage right from the seed. I ask because many hybrid seeds Lavender is difficult to germinate here in my country Nigeria.
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Richo Cech –
White Sage (Salvia apiana) is a desert plant, therefore planting in sand and keeping in the strong light much improves the likelihood that the seed will germinate in domestic culture.
Seeds require a sense of place. Seed plantings must be tamped in order to assure that the seeds stays in the original orientation, does not float away when watered, and does not shift over time and waste precious energy in re-orienting its emerging root. This generally means:
A fast-draining mix (incorporate white pumice and coarse, sharp sand to your potting soil or simply plant in coarse, sharp sand). Use chicken grit (ground sharp stone) purchased at your feed-and-seed or check local quarries. You can provide nutrients later.
Watering should be done in such a way as to not dislodge the seed. For small seeds, rough-up the surface of the flat, sprinkle the seeds in a well-defined row, label assiduously, tamp (press) the seeds down into the mix, and water sparingly at first. The matrix will swell around the seed and hold it in place. Water again to be sure the seeds have enough moisture to imbibe and germ. Water again only after the surface begins to dry. Do not float the s
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Penny goldeck (verified owner) –
Love this product!! Makes the perfect smudge sticks
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Leslie –
Is this the same kind of Sage that you might cook with or use in a tea?
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Richo Cech –
Hi Leslie, I think you’re thinking of Garden Sage (Salvia officinalis). Richo
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Emily –
Hello Richo. I’m in Portland Oregon . I was wondering if we get too much rain for this plant to be happy outdoors even though we’re in zone 8b. I was thinking of doing a sand mulch raised. Any guidance isuch appreciated 🙂
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Richo Cech –
Hi Emily, Zone 8 is amenable to white sage. Mainly the challenge is the Portland is known for rain and too much rain is no bueno for white sage. Fiund a location sheltered from rain and in the sun and put your raised bed there. These get big when they’re happy. r
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Question
LAguilar –
What’s the difference between white sage and mugwort?
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Richo Cech –
Hi! White sage is from the Salvia genus and Mugwort is an Artemisia. They are very different plants although both are considered burnables. You’ll find the mugwort to be much more forgiving in terms of zone, soil type and ease of culture. Richo
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Linda –
Is white sage what some people burn to get rid of evil spirits?
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Richo Cech –
yes
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Ethan Davis –
I just bought two of your books, Making Plant Medicine and Growing At-Risk Medicinals. These are both fantastic. Thank you. I am planning out my apothecary now. Connecting with a local herbalist. I have read where white sage will survive frosts to 10 deg. F., and is hardy to zone 6. I see you say zone 7. I am zone 5. Question, if I give this a heavy straw mulch, like with a strawberry, do you think it will overwinter? I will definitely grow this in my greenhouse, and put others in 1 gallon pots to winter indoors. I will experiment with the mulching too. Unless you already know that technique will not work. When I walked through California, I would see this growing wild, including on tops of hills and mountains. It grew low and sprawled, krummholz style. Thanks. Very curious.
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Richo Cech –
hello ethan, thanks for your communication, it is nice to hear from you. white sage is barely hardy to a zone 8, zone 7 with extraordinary protection, and honestly the plant abhors any mulch except for sand. richo
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Nordica –
I live in southern canada where it can get quite cold in the winter and hot in the summer. Our zone I believe, is 5. Could I grow this sage outdoors?
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Richo Cech –
hello nordica, if you click on the picture it will take you to the monograph that lists the hardiness zones. white sage isn’t hardy to your zone, but could be grown in a heated greenhouse or sunroom. richo
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Gonzalo –
Are you sending to Chile?
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Richo Cech –
Hello Gonzalo, Sorry, the likelihood that seeds would get through to Chile is very slim. Richo
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Gina Guggenbuehl –
Do you send to Mexico . Thank you
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Richo Cech –
Hi Gina, No, not successfully, the situation has deteriorated. Richo
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Ana –
Hello i’m live in Hong Kong is the weather suitable for white sage? Can it ship to Hong Kong?
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Richo Cech –
Hello Ana, Yes, I believe you can grow it, we experimented with some in Yunnan and it did well. I believe we still ship to Hong Kong, you can try. richo
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Natalia –
Hi, i really want to plant white sage and make a connection with the plant. I live in south Florida next to the water, very humid and salty. Do you think that maybe as an indoor plant it would work?
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Richo Cech –
Choose a spot on the southern exposure of your house, underneath the eaves, and make a sand bed there and plant the white sage starts in that. the main problem is cold wet weather–which you do not have. r
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Becky Turner –
Hello can I grow indoors if so what kind of set up would be best for this beauty????
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Richo Cech –
Hi Becky, The best setup is a heated solar greenhouse. Plants will be very happy if they are allowed to root into the floor, even through river rock or gravel. If its an apartment-type situation, which is what a lot of people mean by “indoors,” then you can limp along with a T-5 grow light, fans to circulate the air, and plants in gallon pots or larger. but white sage is never really that happy in such a situation. r
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Lilly –
I heard that the germination rate of White Sage is very low and the plant is very hard to grow. I’m living in South East Asia. At my place, the temperature usually ranges from 26 oC – 35 oC. Do you think I can grow it here?
I wanted to plant White Sage to use for smudging. Culinary Sage is doing well here but when burned it smells of just smoke. As far as I know, no one is growing White Sage in my country so I really want to plant one. Many thanks!
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Richo Cech –
Hello Lilly, The temperature range you indicate is acceptable for White Sage, which would be perennial for you. The germination is different from year to year, from grower to grower. We really like this plant and have good luck with it. It does make an excellent smudge, and it is really a very pretty plant. Give it a try! Richo
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cleopuns –
Do you ship to the Phillipines? I can’t seem to check out…
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Richo Cech –
I believe we do still ship to the Philippines–I’ll check on it.
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Taria –
Hello, I have a small white sage plant that is currently outside in a pot and was grown from Strictly Medicinal Seeds, Spring 2020. I am in zone 4, so want to bring it in for the winter. What is the best location in the house? South facing window? What sort of watering should I be doing and does it need a fertilizer? Thank you.
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Richo Cech –
Yi Taria, yes, south facing window. good time to repot using standard potting soil and a 2-inch mulch of sand up around the stem. How often you water depends on ambient temp, humidity and porousness of substrate. Howver one rule never water until surface is completely dry. probably best not to fertilize until spring. use organic compost and make sure of a thick sand mulch.
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Celia –
Hi, I just got my seeds and am excited to plant. I am zone 9 in AZ. We plant native wildflower seeds now but things like zinnia and sunflower seeds in March. When do you think would be best for the white sage? Thank you!
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Richo Cech –
Hi Celia, I just planted white sage myself with very good results–the new harvest is IN, those would have been new harvest seeds that you received. The answer is dependent on your facilities there. If you have a greenhouse, plant them now. If you’re relying on direct-seeding, wait until March. Richo
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jasperdshide (verified owner) –
I’ve have mixed results with growing white sage – it germinates well but I’m having trouble keeping the seedlings alive and happy. I tend to get slow browning from the leaf tips inward followed by general failure to thrive and essentially no further growth.
I’ve got them in direct sunlight augmented with grow lights, so I suspect it’s related to watering and especially going from consistent moisture for germination to drier conditions for the seedlings.
I’d appreciate any and all advice you have to offer!
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Richo Cech –
Hi! This is consistent with the kinds of problems growers have with light setups. The lights really do help in germination but then it can be hard to wean the seedlings off of lights, or if one tries to keep them under lights, they gradually fail. I moved my lights out of the building and into the greenhouse, and that really helped me wean seedlings off of the lights. Ultimately, i think that needs to be the goal–to quit having to use supplemental light on older plants. If that is not possible, then at least look to the substrate. For white sage it really does work best to use a very sandy medium. Also, as they mature, the plants do better with a wide and shallow pot instead of a narrow and deep pot. White sage is a sensitive plant. It can easily fail if even one of the 3 or 4 critical aspects of environment is off kilter. For instance, overwatering when in the early stages. Then, if everything is balanced and right, it is truly amazing how very fast they will grow. Keep trying. Richo
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jasperdshide (verified owner) –
I’ll keep trying! I’ve got enough seeds to experiment a little and hopefully report back with what worked best for me. I figure once I’ve got a few pairs of true leaves I’ll be in the clear, there’s nothing desert plants seem to like quite as much as being left alone to do their thing!
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jasperdshide (verified owner) –
So far so good! I’ve noticed some interesting phenotypic variation between more mature seedlings – could this be from hybridization with your other sages?
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Richo Cech –
No, this is typical to the variation one sees in any open-pollinated plant. It is hybrid plants that all look the same.
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Cheng shuo –
Can I send it to China?
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Richo Cech –
Yes, we do send seeds via air mail only to China.
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Christina –
Hi,
Could you send it to Belarus?
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Richo Cech –
Yes, we can ship to Belarus–you are not in the EU! Richo
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Petergo –
Could you sent it to south korea?
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Richo Cech –
Hello Petergo, We can send it. Richo
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Christian –
Do u guys ship to hawaii?
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Richo Cech –
yes, we ship seeds and plants to Hawaii.
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Teodora –
Can you ship to Romania?
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Richo Cech –
Hello Teodora, Very sorry, no, Romania is in the EU so we can’t ship there. Richo
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Question
Caio Luz –
Do you ship to Brazil?
Sorry for my bad english!
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Richo Cech –
No problem about the English, but we cannot ship to Brazil. Every time we send seeds to Brazil, they are stolen at customs.
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Liora –
Hi there – thank you for this beautiful work you are doing! I am in Centennial Colorado and I have found conflicting info about which zone Colorado is in – is it possible for me to plant them in low-traffic areas to help replenish the numbers?
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Richo Cech –
Hello Liora, Thanks for your review. I believe Colorado is too cold for Salvia apiana but you can readily grow Artemisia ludoviciana (Western Mugwort) which makes a great smudge and is native to your region. Even here in Southern Oregon overwintering of white sage is pretty iffy, and you’re way colder than us.
Richo
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SINSEUNGHWA –
I’m in Korea.
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Richo Cech –
We can attempt to ship seeds to Korea, but we cannot guarantee that you will receive them.
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Maggie (verified owner) –
Great germination from seed. I followed the directions and included sand in my mix. I’m so excited to see them take off in the garden. We are in PA — is there anyway this plant will bloom for us? I’d live to see that. I typically grow this as an annual here.
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Richo Cech –
Hi Maggie, White sage will bloom usually in the second year. Richo
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Question
Annie Ryan (verified owner) –
I live in zone 7 and I’m trying to learn to garden. Would I want to wait until May to plant the white sage seeds outside? Also it sounds like white sage and st. john wort likes the same type soil. Do they make good companion plants or should I plant them away from each other.
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Richo Cech –
hi Annie, I personally have never tried direct-seeding white sage. I always plant it in deep sand in flats and put it in the greenhouse and/or under lights for fast germination. You can try planting it directly outside. It does like the same full sun and fast-draining habitat as SJW although they don’t occur together in the wild. richo
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Lauren Maar (verified owner) –
I had ordered from other organic seed suppliers and that didn’t have any luck germinating white sage. Now I know the germination rate is low, but being in its native southern California that was really hopeful and was disappointed. UNTIL
my strictly medicinal white sage seeds were germinating at 75%+ and are doing amazing. I’m planning on getting more!
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Richo Cech –
Hi Lauren,
Thank you for staying in touch. There is something particularly satisfying about success with white sage. I had a large plant overwinter outside and I just can’t stop looking at it every time I pass. Its like great nature saying, slow down, human, and notice the beauty! Lauren,keep up the good work and wishing you the best. richo
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Chris Dyer –
I’ve read the line “Its like nature saying, slow down, human, and notice the beauty!” A dozen times now. I work in a greenhouse and the last couple of weeks have been beyond crazy and stressful. People out in masses with no regards for anything or anyone. Not even the blooms. This was much needed. Thank you Richo for reminding people to slow down. The season brings many wonderful things.
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Question
Maggee –
I live in New Ringgold, Pennsylvania. I’m interested in growing and drying white sage for smudging purposes. I’m a newbie when it comes to this stuff so I would love some direction! Thanks! Maggee
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Richo Cech –
Hello Maggee,
You can go to RICHO’S BLOG for a lot of info on growing and preparing white sage. Since you’re in one of the colder states, you might want to grow this as an annual, or even consider growing Artemisia ludoviciana instead of Salvia apiana. Or \better yet, buy white sage plants from us, they are already well-established.
Richo
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Question
Liz Jarnicki –
Hi I live in Barrie Ontario. The soil is very sandy in my garden and the summers have been hot and dry. What do you suggest for my area. I would love a perennial and want to dry leaves for smiludging.
Liz
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Richo Cech –
Hi Liz,
I suggest Artemisia ludoviciana for you, you’re too far north for Salvia apiana.
Richo
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Sara –
I’m surprised that nothing mentions smoking or treating the seeds with liquid smoke. Studies easily available show how dramatically smoke treatment improves germination rates to as much as 70% of what is usually a 10% rate.
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Richo Cech –
right, I used to recommend fire treatment of white sage seeds but got so many questions about it, had to remove from the website. The current seed lot we’re working with is giving high rates of germ without fire or smoke. Just press into surface of sandy medium and keep moist and in the light. I have had no complaints this year, the germ rates on white sage are variable and inscrutable.
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Question
Sheila –
I live in Austin, Texas will I be able to grow white sage in my patio? How do I find out what zone that is?
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Richo Cech –
Hi Sheila,
You’re in Zone 8b, plenty warm enough to grow a white sage in a pot on the patio.
Richo
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Warren –
I’ve been warned against finding legit salvia apiana and scams. I am really in search of seeds. Are there more reviews or testimonies?
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Richo Cech –
Hi Warren, It’s OK, you just need to get to know us better. We do grow a lot of verified white sage, were groundbreakers in the organic culture of white sage, are the only source for certified organically grown white sage, were the first to offer organically certified white sage for sale, etc. you can find out more by reading our blog on the subject https://blog.strictlymedicinalseeds.com/white-sage-planting-growing-harvesting/
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Wind Clearwater –
This is legit… I have been growing this seed from Richo for years… I trust this company with the highest degree of respect
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Ron D –
Hi Richo, I have been reading about white sage for smudges. I am seeing Artemisia Ludoviciana and Salvia Apiana. confused on what to use. I am in KS zone 6A (N. KS). I know I may have to something for winter months. I mostly need the right seed. thanks, RD in KS
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Richo Cech –
Hello Ron,
Western Mugwort (Artemisia ludoviciana) would be perennial for you. Many prefer true white sage (Salvia apiana), which you could grow as a summer annual. If you are going to order $50.00 of seeds, wait until tomorrow, because we’ll be giving away true white sage seeds.
Richo
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Ron D –
which is best for smudge?
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Richo Cech –
I think white sage (Salvia apiana) makes the best smudge. r
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Jessica –
Hello! I’m interested in buying white sage so I can later harvest & create my own smudging sticks but I live in AZ where it gets extremely hot during summers, would you suggest I plant it indoors or outdoors??
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Richo Cech –
Hi Jessica,
I suggest starting it indoors and transplanting it outdoors when sufficiently sized. The weather cannot possibly be too hot for white sage, that is what it craves.
Richo
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Steven D Ellis –
Will this white sage grow well in north Texas?
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Richo Cech –
Hi Steven,
Yes, you would be contiguous to the native distribution, I imagine you’d have an easier time than most. Our white sage seed is particularly viable this year.
Richo
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Toni –
will it grow in Northern MI?
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Diana –
Hi toni,
MI is Michigan, right? You can grow Artemisia ludoviciana in michigan, not practical to grow salvia apiana.
Richo
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Mark Goldstein –
Hello, I live in the tropics, Costa Rica specifically…so easily a zone 11++…is there any chance I will have some luck growing this white sage? I live in tropical rainforest area, but we get little to to no rain between January and April..so my questions are: how long would I need to keep the plants in a relatively “dry and sunny are” to produce, and how much, if any, rain can they take? I’d really like to be able to produce my own and not have to import…thanks very much!
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Richo Cech –
Hello MArk,
We have white sage listed up to zone 12, so you’re fine in a Z 11. Try situating the plant on the south side of a building, under the eaves to protect it from monsoons. It takes 6 months to grow the plant large enough to harvest.
Richo
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James –
I have grown white sage in Costa Rica, (about 20 min north of San Jose in Santa Barbara). The seeds were from strictly medicinal and the plants seem to thrive, both in the greenhouse and planted outdoors in Rocky very well draining ground.
Back in US now and just got a live plant shipped to me. Hoping I have the same success here
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Aly –
After searching endlessly with no luck, I came across your site. (Which does carry white sage) my question for you, after reading all of the questions and so forth, would be:
As far as planting indoors, would it be wise enough to use just Upstate NY, (mind you I’m 15mins from Canada along lake Champlain- NOT 10 mins outside NYC or Albany) and would planting in Terra cotta pots suffice with some white pumice on top to start or should I leave the top bare when beginning for easier germination?
As far as the “Fire Flashing”, you mentioned that leaving a layer of soil on top of the seeds when “flashing”, is this correct?
Thanks on advance.
I have ordered from places who say they have a high Gen rate and I’m left with now only 1 plant that took a “flash fire” process but I wasn’t present when it was done. I was at work.
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hello Aly,
Thanks for getting in touch. I did an experiment this summer with our newly harvested white sage seed where some of it was sown on the surface of sand, and some was sown under the surface. The surface-sown gave better results, so I do think that’s the answer to your question. Regardless of where you are, a good T-5 grow light will do more for you than a flash fire.
Richo
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Amber Finch –
I was curious if white sage can be grown strictly indoors? I live in a desert climate that can get (in summer) in the 100s to (in winter) sometimes below 20s.
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Admin Richo Cech –
It can be grown indoors, but prefers greenhouse treatment over the coffee table.
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Claire –
Can white sage be successfully grown as an annual? Zone 4
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Admin Richo Cech –
Yes, growing the plant as an annual is a good option. Start early indoors, transplant out only after the ground is truly warmed up, and employ microsite technique–south side of a building or rock wall, very fast-draining soil. I grew one this way this year and it is now in gorgeous flower, with heavy branches to a height of 3 feet. r
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Nicole H. –
Hello! I’m very skeptical about buying on websites I never heard of before. I live in Mississippi, can’t find white sage seeds anywhere.
How do I know this website isn’t a scam? Thank you.
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hi Nicole, I suggest you get a copy of our paper catalogue and check us on facebook. Scam websites are not backed up by paper catalogues. Our new harvest white sage is now in stock. I did an interesting planting comparison on this, to determine what methods work best, and so stay tuned for that. Cheers, Richo
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Rain –
Can this seed, when grown, produce seeds for replanting for future?
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Admin Richo Cech –
Yes, these plants are self-fertile and open-pollinated. That said, it really does make sense to grow a reasonably large population for the purpose of seed saving. The vitality of the progeny is increased, as is seed germ rate. r
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Sue (verified owner) –
Hi! I just ordered a packet of white sage seeds. I’m thinking of starting them in a cactus medium. What size pot do I start them in? My intent is to grow this plant, harvest and dry the leaves for smudging. Any other tips/advise?
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Admin Richo Cech –
A gallon size pot filled with cactus mix, and the seeds sprinkled on the top, left in very warm and very light area, should produce some seedlings. You can work them up in successively larger pots in the usual manner and plant out to full sun and fast draining soil. Harvest is in the fall of the first year, and then again in the midspring of the second year. Partially dry the leaves and then bundle.
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Jacquelin Pauciello (verified owner) –
Super quick delivery very pleased so far, will update when I plant them! Thanks! 🙂
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Eliza West –
Please explain what is meant on the package “fire treatment improves germ rate”?
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hi Eliza, You plant the seeds in sand and stimulate them with a flash-fire, then they come up through the ashes. not necessary, though, planting in sand with warmth and strong light will give ~20% germ within 10 days. If you need more info on fire treatment, check “The Medicinal Herb Grower.” r
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Phyllis Crearyphylliswatsoncreary –
Will these plants grow in the mountains of North Carolina?
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hi Phyllis, Nadja had one in Greensboro for years. White sage is a touchy plant at first but once it gets established will live on and on. I live outside the native range and preferred zone and have had one flowering at my door every summer for 2 decades…
Richo
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ricardo –
what are the shipping fees for seeds to
Brazil?
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Admin Richo Cech –
I’m sorry to say we can’t ship to Brazil. Everything we have sent there has come back to us with a “biosecurity” document attached.
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yolanda –
do you ship to canada
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Admin Richo Cech –
Yes, and the new seed harvest is in stock!
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Barbara Hamilton –
Hi can you ship to New Zealand
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Diana –
Yes.
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krish kumar –
Could you ship to India ?
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Admin Judy –
We do ship seeds internationally.
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hello Krish,
We will try, but success rates for shipping to India are very low.
Richo
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Rose –
Hello Richo. Where do you source your seeds? Thank you.
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Admin Richo Cech –
Here on our farm in Williams, Oregon, certified organically grown by Oregon Tilth.
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Brownfeather –
Was this authentic white sage?
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Admin Richo Cech –
it was and still is. many native american people also call Artemisia ludoviciana (western mugwort) white sage. we do have that one as well.
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Liza Devine –
what are the shipping fees for seeds to
France?
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Admin Richo Cech –
$13.90 USD
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Martina –
good day, I need the seeds of salvia apiana, can you send me to Slovakia? Unfortunately, it is not possible to buy it here. total amount?
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Admin Richo Cech –
We ship white sage (Salvia apiana) seed internationally. Please order online at this website. r
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J. D –
I live in Indiana and want to start planting now for sage burning…what is your advice it is now fall here and it gets chilly so I know I need to keep them inside?
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hello J.D.,
Unless you have benches and lights set up, then wait until spring to plant. And, regarding your other question about “Do you plant the whole packet? Or just one seed?” I am really glad you asked that. Most people who complain to me about zero germination are doing just that (they tell me so)–putting one seed in the middle of a pot–nobody who knows much about planting rare and recalcitrant botanicals plants that way, and it almost always ends in great disappointment–instead you plant the entire packet in the right conditions and then you achieve critical mass and good results occur. Richo
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Shellie Petty –
Would love to hear the success rate of people planting in the desert Southwest.
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hi Shellie,
Well, White Sage belongs in the desert southwest (genecenter E. San Diego County) so success rates are good!
Richo
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Anna Marello (verified owner) –
I’ve received today my order of withe sage’s seeds. Thanks a lot for quickly Deliver!!
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Admin Richo Cech –
Regarding “fire dependent” germination of white sage. Several years ago we heard from white sage wild harvesters that seedlings of the plant were emerging after fire, so thus clued in, we tried building a fire on top of the flat after planting the seed, and sure enough, we did get good germination. We also tried planting the seed by itself without the fire treatment, and we got germination doing that, too. Over the course of several years, growing the plant and harvesting our own seed, we noticed a reduction in recalcitrance. That is, the domesticated seeds were germinating at a higher rate and faster than the wild harvested seed. So, given the high rates of germination we discontinued experimentation with fire treatment, and in fact I notice in the writeup above that there’s nothing about fire treatment in the planting instructions. This is probably because a little information can be dangerous. (We had correspondence from people who literally charred the seed and then reported poor germination–this was not the kind of gentle fire treatment we had originally proposed, where in fact the seed was protected by a layer of soil between it and the flash fire.) Recently (6 days ago, in fact) I took down a seeded raceme from the string we have stretched across the main beam of the seedhouse. There was an odd smell in the seedhouse, as someone was heating up some really smelly food. I wanted to burn some white sage to clean up the vibes. I stuck the end of the branch in a pot of soil and lit the branch with my lighter. It went up in smoke, and seeds were popping out of the raceme and falling all over the cement floor. So I swept them up and planted them. It was the dark of the moon, more or less. 6 days later (today) the pot is full of new seedlings. Now, that’s really fast germination for white sage seed, which usually takes (see above) 2 weeks to come up, not less than one week. So we could say that the seed is STIMULATED by fire although it is not DEPENDENT on fire. It is a good distinction to make, especially because some people like to play with fire and some people would rather not. White sage is so giving, it serves BOTH kinds of people. Richo
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Cristina Shih –
Can I grow in the Northeast? and harvest the same year?
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hi Cristina,
White sage can be grown throughout the US. As an annual, the yield is not much. You could jump for a plant, that would get you there a lot faster.
Richo
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Admin Richo Cech –
somewhat flattened, beige, about 3 mm.
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hunterdunford –
When starting seeds in Ohio should the pot be brought in during a rainstorm, or will it be alright? I know these are native to San Diego California, not sure how often it rains there. Thank you.
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hello, The best approach is to plant seeds in sand and keep very warm and in intense light and water once daily. Rainstorms count for a watering. When done correctly, some results will show within a week or so.
Richo
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Angela –
I live in Ky ahould I add sand to the clay we have here and plant or should it do fine in Red clay
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hi Angela,
Love Kentucky. You would have to prepare a desert bed on the south side of a building and work in lots of clay and white pumice and then surround the plants with more sand, a couple of inches worth at least.
Richo
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Karoliina Hellen –
Hi, could I also have white sage to indoors or in a plant house protected from cold, as I live in Finland?
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Richo Cech –
Hello Karoliina,
In a plant house, yes, in a pot that is very wide and not very deep, giving the plant also a chance to root into the gravel of the floor. Then, they can become magnificent.
Richo
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Naomi –
Hello. Is it possible to ship to the Philippines?
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Richo Cech –
Hello Naomi, Yes, we ship seeds to the Philippines. Richo
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Dana (verified owner) –
Hi there, If I were to fire treat these would you suggest I scarify before doing so?
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Richo Cech –
Hello Dana,
It is true that sometimes a light scarification increases germ rate on White Sage. Although fire treatment is a fun process (as long as one keeps the fire where its supposed to be), extensive experiments here have shown that the best germination occurs when the seed is simply pressed into sand and kept warm, in the light, and watered daily until germination. Germination begins as quickly as 3 days after planting, and may go on for weeks. Fire treating has a few advantages. If done with great finesse one can start white sage in place this way and let it grow through the ashes. The plant does well when there is zero weed pressure, a sunny and fast-draining position. Ashes can help achieve this.
Richo
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Shay –
Hi there! I have some questions about sand as a growing medium. Is there a certain type of sand that is best for Salvia Apiana. I get confused when amending soil with sand.. I’ve read it’s beneficial for drainage and preventing too much water from staying around plant roots, but in the past when I’ve used it, it seems to make things dry out slower. Like the soil has less breathing room. Wondering if I have the wrong type of sand; does grit size matter?
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Richo Cech –
Yes, we specify coarse, sharp sand. Beach sand is unacceptable, and much quarry sand is rounded–check it with a 10x glass. Use flint grit designed for poultry, or find a place that offers horticultural sand. r
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