Culinary Sage
Salvia officinalis
Last reviewed: October 2026
Culinary Sage (Salvia officinalis) is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs or cats (aspca.org (opens in new tab), last reviewed 2026-08-15). If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
12"–30" H × 18"–36" W
Bloom
May, Jun
Native alternatives to Culinary Sage
Culinary Sage is not native to the United States. These natives fill a similar role in a planting, matched on bloom season, bloom color and mature size.
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 458 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaPicture natives in your own yard
Wondering what could grow where Culinary Sage is now? Upload a photo of the spot and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it replanted with natives for your region.
A woody based evergreen subshrub with soft gray green aromatic leaves used in cooking. It needs sharp drainage and full sun, and rots in wet ground. Light pruning in spring keeps it from going open and leggy.
In an HOA neighborhood
Culinary Sage is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation bed, border.
Wildlife value
Flowers offer nectar that generalist visitors will use, but as a non-native it feeds no local caterpillars. Treat it as garden interest rather than habitat.
Common questions
- How much sun does Culinary Sage need?
- Culinary Sage grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Culinary Sage bloom?
- Culinary Sage blooms in May and June.
- Is Culinary Sage toxic to dogs?
- Culinary Sage is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
- Is Culinary Sage toxic to cats?
- Culinary Sage is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).
- Is Culinary Sage HOA-friendly?
- Culinary Sage is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Culinary Sage? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.