Botanical profile

Golden sage

Latin name
Salvia officinalis 'Icterina'
Common name
Golden Sage
Type
Perennial
Family
Lamiaceae

Golden sage is a very decorative perennial aromatic plant, appreciated for its variegated green and golden-yellow foliage, which brings a lot of light to herb gardens, sunny borders, rock gardens, and patio containers. Its fragrance is reminiscent of classic sage, with a warm, herbaceous, and slightly peppery flavor, perfect for flavoring meats, poultry, stuffings, sauces, roasted vegetables, potatoes, pasta, and stews. Its colorful foliage also allows for beautiful contrasts with thyme, rosemary, lavender, oregano, and other sun-loving herbs.

Easy to grow, golden sage prefers a sunny to slightly semi-shaded location, in light, poor to moderately fertile, and very well-drained soil. It tolerates drier conditions well once established but does not tolerate excess water, especially in heavy or poorly drained soils. Light pruning in spring or after flowering helps maintain a dense, compact, and well-branched plant, while stimulating the production of new colored foliage.

Both aromatic, ornamental, and useful for pollinators, golden sage is ideal for adding a luminous and fragrant touch to gourmet arrangements. Its spike-like flowers, generally mauve to bluish, attract bees and other beneficial insects to the garden. It is an excellent herb for gardeners looking for a robust, flavorful, drought-resistant, and more decorative plant than traditional sage.

Care guide

Care level
Easy

Choosing this plant

Main benefit
Highly ornamental aromatic variegated golden foliage
Vegetable garden, herbs, decorative border, rock garden, container, Mediterranean cuisine
Container growing
Excellent container culture in a well-drained pot
Seasonal care
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a compact shape; avoid waterlogged soils; cut back dead wood in spring
Growing conditions

Light, soil, water and hardiness

Hardiness zone
Zone 5 and above (a little less hardy than the green form)
Exposure
Full sun
Watering
Moderate; allow the soil surface to dry slightly between waterings
Humidity
Low to medium humidity; prefers well-drained soil
Fertilization
Light compost in spring; avoid excessive fertilizer
Soil type
Light to medium soil, dry to cool and very well-drained
Soil pH
Neutral to slightly alkaline
Minimum temperature
-20 °C
Propagation method
Cuttings or division
Plant appearance

Blooming, foliage and shape

Blooming period
Late spring to summer
Flower color
Bluish-purple to violet
Foliage color
Green streaked with golden yellow
Foliage type
Semi-persistent
Shape
Compact and semi-woody bushy habit
Garden structure

Size and growth

Height
30 to 60 cm (12 to 24 inches)
Width
45 to 60 cm (18 to 24 inches)
Growth rate
Average growth
Vegetable garden and yield

Companion planting, spacing and harvest

Companion plants
Rosemary, thyme, lavender, oregano
Plants to avoid
Cucumbers
Spacing
45 to 60 cm (18 to 24 inches)
Harvest period
Leaves: May to September
Not recommended for pets
Not recommended for pets

Pets

Butterflies
Plants that attract butterflies

Butterflies

Repellent
Helps repel certain pests

Repellent

Deer
Less attractive or generally tolerated by deer

Deer

The availability of our plants varies depending on arrivals, seasons, nursery production and supplier availability. Some varieties may be offered for a limited time only, depending on their natural cycle or current stock. These plant profiles are designed to guide and inspire you when choosing plants for the garden, landscaping projects, containers or long-lasting outdoor arrangements.