Organic 'Fanni Common Sage'
Organic 'Fanni' common sage (Salvia officinalis) from the seed company Gaia, a sacred, aromatic and luminous herb with culinary and ritual uses.
Common sage 'Fanni' is a heritage plant rich in aromas and traditions. Its thick, velvety, silvery-grey leaves release a warm, woody, and resinous fragrance, making it a staple in soups, stuffings, roast meats, and autumn dishes . Its mauve flowers attract a host of pollinators and brighten garden borders. Hardy, drought-tolerant, and easy to grow, it forms a beautiful, compact, and long-lived bush.
Did you know that
Sage, whose name comes from the Latin word salvare ("to heal"), has been considered a sacred plant of protection since antiquity. The Egyptians used it as a fertility plant; the Greeks and Romans to treat various ailments and purify spaces. In the Middle Ages, it was believed that " he who had sage in his garden needed no doctor ."
Its dried leaves were also burned in ceremonial fumigation to purify the air, drive away heavy energies and promote mental clarity — a practice still carried out in some contemporary rituals.
Companion plants : Carrot, tomato, parsley, strawberry, rosemary, beans, thyme, nasturtium, oregano, brassicas
Enemy plants : Fennel, rue, cucumber, wormwood
Spread/Habit : Bushy, compact
Plant height : 45 to 60 cm
Quantity per packet : 20 seeds
Certification : Certified organic by Ecocert Canada
Special features : Aromatic and ceremonial leaves, nectar-rich flowers, drought-tolerant
Flower color : Mauve to purple
Texture/foliage : Thick, silvery-grey, highly fragrant leaves
Aroma/flavor : Warm, woody, slightly camphoraceous
Farming method
Soak the seeds in lukewarm water for 12 hours to promote germination. Sow 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost or directly outdoors, in groups of 3–4 seeds , at a depth of 6 mm (1/8") .
If sown indoors, water from the bottom and do not cover the seeds: they need light to germinate.
Transplant to a sunny location in well-drained, dry to moderately moist soil. Space plants 45–60 cm (18–24") apart, with 60 cm (24") between rows. Water very sparingly ( level 1 ), as sage is very drought-tolerant.
Harvesting and preservation
Harvest the flowers when 3 to 4 are open on the stem. The leaves can be picked throughout the season, but their aroma is optimal just before flowering.
To dry, hang bouquets upside down in a warm, dark and ventilated place .
Fresh foliage can be kept for 3 days in a bag in the refrigerator.
Usage ideas
• Essential for stuffing poultry , pork, and lamb
• Delicious in digestive herbal teas or medicinal infusions
• Magnificent for ceremonial smudging
• Sublime in sage butter , gnocchi, ravioli, risottos
• Can be used in potpourri thanks to its long-lasting fragrance
Common sage 'Fanni' is an ancient, noble, deeply aromatic herb, rich in symbolism. A treasure of the garden, it is valued for its culinary uses, rituals, crafts, and the simple beauty of its silvery foliage.
