Clary Sage

(Salvia sclarea)

Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Salvia sclarea, commonly known as Clary Sage, is a biennial herb that is native to the Mediterranean region, including parts of Central Asia and the Western Himalayas. It thrives in its natural habitat of dry, well-drained soils often found on hillsides, around springs, and in gravelly areas. This plant can reach 3 to 4 feet (0.91 to 1.22 meters) in height and is characterized by its thick, square, hairy stems. The large basal leaves can be up to 1 foot (0.30 meters) long, while the smaller upper leaves are about 0.5 feet (0.15 meters) long, with a rugose texture and glandular hairs. Clary Sage is notable for its showy flowers, which appear in verticils of 2-6 per cluster and are surrounded by large, colorful bracts ranging from pale mauve to lilac, white, or pink with distinctive pink markings. The flowers, with their lilac or pale blue corolla, are about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in size and bloom in late spring to early summer.

Clary Sage is valued for its aromatic leaves and striking flowers, making it a popular choice for herb gardens, borders, and as a specimen plant. It is also used for its essential oil in aromatherapy and perfumery. In cultivation, Clary Sage prefers full sun and can tolerate a range of soil drainage conditions, from slow to fast. It requires moderate watering and is generally easy to maintain. The cultivar ’Turkestanica’ is especially ornamental with pink stems, petiolate leaves, and white, pink-flecked blossoms on spikes up to 30 inches (76 cm) tall. However, gardeners should be cautious as Salvia sclarea can become invasive outside its native range, particularly in parts of the United States.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Herb
  • Height: 2-4 feet
  • Width: 2-3 feet
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Flower Color: Cream, Pink, Purple, White
  • Flowering Season: Summer
  • Leaf Retention: Semi-deciduous

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun
  • Water: Medium
  • Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Fragrant, Groundcover, Hummingbird Garden, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Native to dry, well-drained soils on hillsides, around springs, and in gravelly areas in the Mediterranean region, Central Asia, and the Western Himalayas

Other Names

Common Names: Europe Sage, Clary, Salvia Romana, European Sage, Clear-Eye, See-Bright Sage, Muskatellersalbei, Muskateller-Salbei, Esalarea, Toute-Bonne

Scientific Names: , Salvia sclarea, Salvia turkestanica, Salvia sclarea var. turkestanica, Salvia haematodes, Salvia sclarea var. turkestaniana, Salvia altilabrosa, Salvia coarctata, Aethiopis sclarea, Salvia bracteata

GBIF Accepted Name: Salvia sclarea L.