Last updated on October 23rd, 2023 at 09:02 pm
It can survive well in the open ground. Only in severe winter months, the plant should be protected so that it survives the period without damage. To ensure survival, you can cultivate the Clary sage in a container.
Origin
The Clary sage belongs to the labiates and originates from the Mediterranean region. Here the species grows in forests and on rocky slopes. It colonizes roadsides and fields. Although it grows in regions with mild winters, it can be found at altitudes of up to 2,000 meters. Here it could adapt to frosty winter temperatures, which facilitates the cultivation of the plant in Central Europe.
In this location the species feels comfortable:
- sunny place
- sheltered from the wind
- well-drained and sandy soil
Care
Despite its adaptation to sandy substrates, clary sage likes a slightly moist soil. Once it has settled into the garden, you can leave the plant to its own devices. During prolonged dry periods, the mace requires supplemental watering. If you cultivate the plant in a pot, you need to water regularly. The substrate dries out faster in the pot. Additional fertilization is not necessary, because the mace sage has low nutrient needs.
Wintering
Newly purchased young plants should not be placed directly outdoors, as they are very susceptible to cold temperatures in the first year. In the second year, they can be placed outside to develop the inflorescence. Plants that germinate outdoors usually cope better with outdoor conditions and do not necessarily need to be cultivated in pots.
Up to temperatures of -15 degrees Celsius, grown-in specimens prove to be hardy. Should the thermometer drop further, winter protection is recommended for the perennial’s survival. Cover the leaf rosette with brushwood, straw or bark mulch. Wetness can also become a hazard. Make sure the substrate does not become soggy during the winter months.
Pot culture
To get Muscat sage safely through the frosty winter, cultivation in a pot is recommended. Place the pot in a frost-free place in the fall. Temperatures of about ten degrees Celsius are ideal. Moisten the substrate occasionally so that the roots do not dry out.