How to Grow Sage in New Zealand
Drought tolerant once established and happiest in full sun with free-draining soil. Grows year-round in the warm north but slows over winter. Prune after flowering to stop it going leggy and woody.
When to plant sage in New Zealand
Timing is everything in New Zealand, where the warm north and the cooler south are weeks apart. Sow or plant in these months for your region:
| Region | When to sow or plant |
|---|---|
| Northland | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Auckland | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Waikato & BoP | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Wellington | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Nelson & Marlborough | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Canterbury | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Otago & Southland | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Central Otago | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
Best sage varieties for NZ
- Common Sage — Grey-green culinary sage, the standard for cooking, easy from seed. (Kings Seeds, Egmont Seeds)
- Purple Sage — Edible and ornamental with deep purple-tinged leaves. (Garden centres, Mr Fothergill's NZ)
- Tricolour Sage — Variegated cream, pink and green foliage, decorative as well as culinary. (Garden centres)
How to grow sage
- Space plants about 50cm apart.
- Sow seed around 0.5cm deep.
- Position: full sun.
- Ready to harvest in roughly 75 days.
- Seeds germinate in about 14 days.
Companion planting
Grow sage near: Rosemary, Brassicas, Carrot.
Pests and problems
Watch for: Spider mite, Slugs and snails. See our NZ pest and disease guide for organic control.
For a calendar tuned to your exact region, see the New Zealand planting guides or the Sage plant page.
FAQ
When is the best time to plant sage in New Zealand?
In the warm north (Auckland, Northland) sow in January, February, March, April, August, September, October. Cooler regions plant a little later. Check the table above for your region.
Where can I buy sage seeds or plants in NZ?
Try Kings Seeds, Egmont Seeds, Garden centres.